When I was a child, ages ago, my parents would slow down on country roads if a deer was spotted; since we were not at outdoorsy (hiking/camping) family, such rare sightings were special events. Of course, deer are now considered to be a nuisance by many Americans, munching on flower beds and "causing" collisions on our highways.
Here in central Missouri, as in most areas of the country, deer are commonly encountered. When we moved to Columbia, almost 26 years ago, we would find evidence of their nightly raids and occasionally observe one at dusk or dawn. These days, they roam and browse the neighborhood in broad daylight, often in small herds or with fawns in tow. How strange and exciting that would have been during my childhood.
Of course, we have created nutritious landscapes for these visitors that are generally free of predators. In addition, we have destroyed most of their natural habitat with our sprawling "developments." Enjoy or gripe about their presence in our suburbs but they are here because of us.
