Food plots, or areas planted with vegetation that attracts wildlife, are becoming increasingly popular in Maine.
Deer frequently are among the animals that take advantage of the high quality forage.
Seth Raven of Waldo captured a fun sequence of videos of some deer seemingly playing recently on such a food plot.
Although it’s fun to watch these deer seemingly frolic and play, this kind of activity could have some important survival benefits. Being quick and able to dodge and weave and to jump over or through thick brush can make the difference between life and death when a deer is trying to evade a predator.
The two major causes of deer deaths in nature are from predation and starvation, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
These deer also could be working out some herd hierarchy issues. Doe deer will teach their youngsters deference to a dominant adult animal, and it appears this is a doe and her fawn.
But wouldn’t it be fun if they were just plain playing tag and hide and seek?
We will never know exactly what was going through their minds, but it’s certainly another quick glimpse into the lives of an animal that is important to Maine’s economy and natural ecosystem.
