Mom on a Mission

Story and Photos by Joseph Zahnle

One morning in 2014, when my wife Barbara and I were living amid an abundance of wildlife in the Orofino area, we saw a whitetail doe heading toward our open gate, which led to the garden. Barbara went outside to make sure the doe didn’t go any farther.  

In a soft voice, she said, “No, you can’t come closer.” Over and over, she repeated, “No, you don’t,” but the doe wouldn’t listen. She stomped her foot and bleated at Barbara. This went on for about fifteen minutes, and the doe simply refused to leave.