WILDLIFE IN LEAVENWORTH

Mike and his uncle

So here’s a picture of me when I was a little younger, like about fifty years younger I believe.  It must have been big news because it made the first page of the Leavenworth Echo that week.  

 

The man in the photo holding the deer by the horns is my Uncle Louis.  I’m the desperado with the cap pistol.  My dad and Uncle Louis were driving down Tumwater Canyon a couple miles out of Leavenworth when they came upon an impressive four point buck just strolling down the middle of the highway.  Apparently he had been stunned by a blow from an encounter with another buck or perhaps from a run in with a car.  At any rate he was rattled and didn’t seem to know or care that he was holding up traffic.  They decided to see if they could get him to safety but he just wanted to stay in the road.  When my uncle took hold of his horn he didn’t seem to mind and followed along the edge of the road like a dog on a leash. 

 

My dad drove to town to call the game department and get a camera.  I jumped in the car to see the excitement and, as usual, had on my holster and trusty peacemaker.  My dad clicked the picture with his Brownie box camera.  By the time Uncle Louis and the deer walked to the city limits of Leavenworth, the game department showed up and took the deer for observation. We never heard any more about him after that but I like to believe he came out of his fog and was released back into the wild.

 

I think about that adventure whenever I am driving up Tumwater Canyon and see any deer standing near the edge of the road.  There isn’t much water on that side of Tumwater Mountain so the deer naturally come to the river to quench their thirst.  It isn’t easy for them to cross because of fairly heavy traffic both summer and winter.  That’s one stretch where you should definitely heed the warning signs and watch for “deer crossing.” 

 

According to insurance statistics, most deer are hit on the road just before and after sunrise and sunset.  We should all be extra vigilant at those times.  That kind of close encounter with a deer can ruin your day indeed. 

 

If you do drive down Tumwater Canyon to Leavenworth and are looking for some real estate, perhaps a getaway cabin or some land to build your dream place on, give us a call.  We have an amazing array of wonderful listings to show you right now.  We’re situated on Highway 2 near the center of town right next to the U. S. Post Office.  We are the Oldest and most trusted real estate office in Leavenworth and have been in business for over twenty five years.  We will listen to your needs and desires and do our level best to find you the property or cabin that is your ideal.  Just like with Allstate, you’re in good hands with Prudential Mike West Real Estate.  –Mike West