Touching the Wild

The mule deer (so named for its large, mule-like ears) roams a wide range in the vast open spaces of Wyoming. Elusive, complex animals who are wary of humans, mule deer are capable of close social relationships within the herd. For the past seven years, naturalist Joe Hutto has observed and lived among these animals, trying to win their trust. Filmmaker David Allen's PBS-aired Nature documentary captures a few seasons among the mule deer, which evolved about 15,000 years ago but continues to exhibit behavior that remains mysterious to humans. Deer must survive on their wits, since they are hunted by many predators, including bears, wolves, mountain lions, and man. Wyoming's brutal winters, with temperatures sometimes reaching 35 degrees below zero, also thins the herd. Although mule deer remain wild animals, Hutto is slowly able—with patience and a soothing tone of voice—to approach and even touch some deer, who undergo the ancient ritual of migrating great distances with the passing of the seasons, always returning to a range near Hutto's cabin. Although Hutto tries to maintain a fine line between "science and sentiment," in the end he perhaps gets too close—and when one of his favorite bucks is bagged by hunters, Hutto decides to leave. An informative and eloquent nature documentary, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)