Dear deer

With a few snow flurries and short periods of sleet this morning, it has begun to feel like winter. Or at least like November, which it will be in just a few more days.

A couple of deer were in the backyard again today, this time around noon. Deer hunting has also sorts of permutations in Wisconsin. This is the chart from the DNR for 1008:

Bow - Sept. 13 - Nov. 20, 2008 and Dec. 1, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009
Gun - Oct. 16 - Oct. 19, 2008 (in select units only). Only antlerless deer may be harvested by gun and archery in units with the Oct. 16-19 gun hunt
Gun - Nov. 22 - Nov. 30, 2008
Muzzleloader - Dec. 1 - Dec. 10, 2008
Youth Deer Hunt - Oct. 11 & 12, 2008
Statewide Antlerless Hunt - Dec. 11 - Dec. 14, 2008

One of the issues around here is CWD, chronic wasting disease, which has been spreading in parts of the state. A few deer have been found in Sauk County with it. Needless to say, there is controversy about how to respond, and I don't know enough to be able to have an informed opinion. Since I don't hunt, seldom eat venison (which doesn't seem to be dangerous even from infected deer, as long as one doesn't eat eyes and brains and spinal cords), I will leave this battle to those most concerned.

I do keep an eye out for deer on our property in case they exhibit symptoms of the disease -- staggering, head and antlers carried low, an awkwardly wide stance when standing still, generally sluggish movements. This is supposed to be reported to the DNR for investigation.