This guy stopped off in my back yard in the Boise foothills this morning to take a rest under a tree as a light rain fell; he’s among numerous deer that have become a common sight strolling through the area. A half-hour later, he was joined by a larger pal, who munched on our apple tree before ambling along.

“The fact is, we have pretty inviting habitat in and around Boise, and as a result, deer and other big game species are likely to find that to be inviting,” said Mike Keckler, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. “The river is a natural corridor for wildlife, and they tend to follow their way in.”

He added, “We have had several mild winters, pretty much statewide for the last three or four years, and as a result deer populations are up, in some areas quite considerably. And that might have something to do with the fact that you’re seeing more in your neighborhood, because … there are more deer out there right now. But the fact is we have had deer in town for, well, ever since we’ve had town.”

We’ve seen groups of six or eight on occasion, does, fawns and bucks.