The hunters' guns have been set aside and now the deer face a new challenge of surviving the harsh winter ahead. Hopefully their fat reserves and dense winter coats will help them through the deep snow, frigid winds and a depleted food supply. The deer will seek shelter in dense evergreens or the sides of hills that protect them from the wind and offer warming sunshine. They will dig for acorns, and browse on oak leaves and small twigs. During most of the day they will bed down in order to save their limited energy and strength. The Earth Mother has equipped them well. Now all I can do is watch and hope for an early spring and their winter survival.