Deer

About this book

The Celts called them ‘fairy cattle’ and the Greeks associated them with hunter goddess Artemis, but for most people today deer are seen as cute like Bambi, or noble like the Monarch of the Glen. Deer appear on coats of arms, in fine art and in literature. In Deer, veterinarian and deer farmer John Fletcher brings together the cultural and natural history of these dignified animals.

In this book the reader will learn about the evolution of the deer, as well as why deer grow and cast aside their antlers each year. The book also describes how rulers from Caesar to Napoleon placed collars on deer, and how today deer feature prominently in films.

Fletcher traces the evolution of deer and describes their symbolism, divulging the true story of Rudolph and other reindeer, and explores the role deer have played as prized objects of the hunt. Richly illustrated, Deer provides a fresh perspective on this graceful, powerful animal that will appeal to hunters and gatherers alike.

Contents

Introduction

1 The Family of Deer
2 How Deer Survive
3 The Exploitation of Deer
4 Deer Hunting and Art
5 Deer as Symbols
6 Deer in North America
7 Deer and People Today

Timeline
References
Bibliography
Associations and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

John Fletcher is a qualified veterinarian who lives and works with his wife on a deer farm in Auchtermuchty, Scotland. His previous books include Fletcher's Game: A Vet's Life with Scotland's Deer (2003) and Gardens of Earthly Delight: the History of Deer Parks (2011).