George and his Deer
George Radford was known to be a good hunter. He shot absolutely everything, year round and provided food for everyone. In the early summer of 1948 or 1949, while out on one of his woodland trips he came across a fawn on its own. The mother had presumably been killed leaving this fawn, still young enough to have its spots, an orphan. Knowing the fawn wouldn’t survive on its own, George brought it back to his homestead which was called “farm”, took it in, and cared for it. Initially he feed it with a bottle, and everybody including Jean, and cousins Billy and Betty ages six, five, and four respectively, pitched in taking turns feeding the baby white-tailed deer until they had successfully nursed him into a healthy independent young buck.
A “deer shed” was constructed to protect him from the elements, and he was permitted too play within the safety of a fenced pasture, which he shared with the cattle. As the years passed, Bucky happily grew into a full grown deer, compete with antlers. However, as he matured, he became more restless and at time vicious. His wilder disposition was more apparent in springtime, when he was working at removing the velvet which covered his antlers. At these times George kept him tied up more often, and the kids didn’t go near him as much.
George had his friend "Bucky" for five to six years, but when George passed away in 1954, Bucky became unmanageable for anyone else. One day, he broke his chain and left to go back into the woods nearby.
George Radford was known to be a good hunter. He shot absolutely everything, year round and provided food for everyone. In the early summer of 1948 or 1949, while out on one of his woodland trips he came across a fawn on its own. The mother had presumably been killed leaving this fawn, still young enough to have its spots, an orphan. Knowing the fawn wouldn’t survive on its own, George brought it back to his homestead which was called “farm”, took it in, and cared for it. Initially he feed it with a bottle, and everybody including Jean, and cousins Billy and Betty ages six, five, and four respectively, pitched in taking turns feeding the baby white-tailed deer until they had successfully nursed him into a healthy independent young buck.
With everyone caring for the animal, he soon established himself as a permanent member of the Radford family. He was even given a name; Bucky. Although this new member of the family grew up side by side with the kids, he was definitely George’s deer and George’s friend. Relative to the other animals on the farm, he enjoyed a rather privileged position, even invited into the house to enjoy Christmas dinner with the family. In addition to the more traditional deer diet of leafy material, twigs, buds and grasses, supplemented with such delicacies as mushrooms and blueberries, he was fed just like one of the family, having a particular fondness porridge. However, his weakness was tobacco. Knowing this, George and brother Bill would save their cigarette butts for him. These succulent morsels were then placed in their shirt pockets, and Bucky was allowed to forage for the special treat.
A “deer shed” was constructed to protect him from the elements, and he was permitted too play within the safety of a fenced pasture, which he shared with the cattle. As the years passed, Bucky happily grew into a full grown deer, compete with antlers. However, as he matured, he became more restless and at time vicious. His wilder disposition was more apparent in springtime, when he was working at removing the velvet which covered his antlers. At these times George kept him tied up more often, and the kids didn’t go near him as much.
Periodically, he would be allowed to run loose. On these occasions he run down the path though the bush to meet the kids as they returned from school. One winter day, while out on one of his romps down the path, he met Grandma Radford, and in his exuberance bumped her right off the path and into the snow bank. The incident seemed quite hilarious to the on looking grandchildren. However, to Harriet it certainly wasn’t a laughing matter. She normally enjoyed to joke, but being the object of public amusement perpetrated by a deer, was going a bit too far and she became quite upset.. To be sure, for a lady in her seventies, a brush with a rambunctious deer, and a tumble into a snow bank, isn’t something to be taken lightly by anyone…except innocent grandchildren.
Bucky the Deer was also quite picky about his friends, and there was a certain person that on several occasions he wouldn’t let on George’s property. Years later, on a road crew in 1977 Fred Radford’s son John came across that man. When Oscar Goulette, John’s boss on the project, learned that John was Fred Radford from Amesdale, he exclaimed “that sonna of a .......,( with his strong French accent) they had a pet deer that would not let me on the Radford property.” In the minds of many, Bucky had an enduring reputation.
Bucky the Deer was also quite picky about his friends, and there was a certain person that on several occasions he wouldn’t let on George’s property. Years later, on a road crew in 1977 Fred Radford’s son John came across that man. When Oscar Goulette, John’s boss on the project, learned that John was Fred Radford from Amesdale, he exclaimed “that sonna of a .......,( with his strong French accent) they had a pet deer that would not let me on the Radford property.” In the minds of many, Bucky had an enduring reputation.
George had his friend "Bucky" for five to six years, but when George passed away in 1954, Bucky became unmanageable for anyone else. One day, he broke his chain and left to go back into the woods nearby.
Bill Radford with Bucky
Details contributed by Fred Radford, Jean Radford Martel, and Betty Radford Puddicombe
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