First fawn

By CONNIE MERTZ

The other night, our daughter saw the first fawn on our farm. These have got to be the cutest babes in nature, though I love little bunnies too! Watching deer browse in lush green alfalfa fields made me think of the importance of deer habitat.

A new organization has formed with the sole purpose of helping land owners to create high quality habitat for not only hunting purposes, but observations as well. Called NorthCountry Whitetails LLC, the company is a group of outdoor professionals whose specialty is in quality wildlife habitat. You may recognize the names of two members: Charles Alsheimer, a well-known outdoor writer and photographer, and Bob Foulkrod, world-famous bow hunter.

NorthCountry Whitetails LCC is a consulting service that offers advise on a variety of concerns in wildlife habitat planning, from soil analysis to logging recommendations and food plot planning. It also sells products and other items for landowners wishing to learn more about developing their land for wildlife purposes.

The service provides demo tours on its property. For $50, individuals can spend a day at Kindred Spirits, a 500-acre plot where high quality whitetail habitat is developed. The tours are held June through September, on weekends only. It is best to make advanced registrations. You can either check the website at www.northcountrywhitetails.com or call 716/388-6990. You can also write them at: PO Box 925, Fairport, NY 14450.

Did you know: fawns have about 300 white spots, have little scent the first few days after birth, and their best defense for the first week or so is to freeze. I have almost stepped on them while out walking, and they remain stone-still. Only the blink of an eye told me they were alive and well!