Rory’s Track in the Mud: Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

Adventure Friend: Rory the White-tailed Deer | Place Type: Wildlife Management Area | Best Time: A cool morning after rain, with current rules checked before the trip

Grandma Makes a Plan

Rain had passed through during the night. By morning, the yard smelled like wet leaves and dirt. Tootie found a muddy print near the gate and decided it was definitely a dinosaur.

"That is Bentley's print from yesterday," Grandma said.

"A very small dinosaur," Tootie replied.

Grandma packed the notebook, water, insect spray, and bright orange safety gear. "Today we are going to Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area. A wildlife management area is different from a neighborhood park. It is land managed for wildlife and outdoor recreation, including hunting in season. We check current rules, permits, seasons, maps, and open areas before we go."

Yoshi looked at the orange gear. "Bright colors. Good."

Think About It: Why might a wildlife management area have different rules from a playground or city park?

The Track That Was Not a Map

The ground at Russell Sage held the night rain in soft places. Water sat in low spots. Wet leaves clung to the trail. Muddy tracks crossed an open patch near thick cover.

"Rory stamp," Tootie said.

"Track," said a calm voice from the brush.

Rory the White-tailed Deer stepped into view only far enough for them to see her. Her coat matched the brown leaves so well that Tootie wondered how long she had been there.

"It is your track."

"It is still a track," Rory said.

Grandma pointed from the trail. Two pointed hoof marks pressed into mud. Rory explained that tracks can look different in soft mud, dry leaves, or hard ground. A walking deer can leave a different pattern from a running deer.

"Can we follow it?" Tootie asked.

"You can notice it," Rory said. "You do not need to chase the animal who made it. Thick cover may be where an animal rests, hides, feeds, or cares for young."

Think About It: Why can looking at a track from the trail be better than following it into thick cover?

What the Deer Was Telling Them

Rory pointed to clipped leaves on a low branch. "Browse marks. Deer eat leaves, twigs, acorns, fruits, and other plant parts. What we eat changes with the season and what grows nearby."

Grandma explained that white-tailed deer are herbivores. They use their teeth to clip plant material. A rubbed spot on a small tree can be another clue. A buck may rub antlers against trees or shrubs.

Yoshi lifted her nose. "Wind from the open area toward the woods."

"Exactly," Rory said. "Wind carries scent. Animals may know you are nearby long before you see them."

"Can deer smell snacks?" Tootie asked.

"Yes," Grandma said. "That is one reason we keep food packed up and never feed wildlife."

Think About It: What clues could show that an animal used a place even when you do not see the animal?

A Place Managed for Wildlife

Tootie looked across open ground, thick brush, wet places, and trees. "Why does it not all look the same?"

"Because animals need different kinds of places," Grandma said. "Land managers may use water control, planting, mowing, timber work, and prescribed fire to help manage habitat. Deer, ducks, rabbits, woodpeckers, and other wildlife do not all need the same floor plan."

Rory nodded. "A deer needs food, cover, water, and space. Ducks need wet places. Rabbits use brushy cover. Birds use trees, grasses, and edges."

Tootie looked where open ground met brush. "That edge looks busy."

"Edges can be busy," Grandma said. "But busy does not mean we walk in and poke around."

"Notice. Respect. Leave room," Rory said.

Think About It: Why might a deer, rabbit, duck, and woodpecker each use different parts of one wildlife area?

Yoshi's WMA Safety Check

Yoshi stood beside the map kiosk with Grandma.

"Wildlife management area safety report," she said. "We check the current rules before every visit. We make sure we have any access permit or license that applies. We learn whether hunting seasons, closures, floods, or work areas change where we can go. We wear bright colors when needed. We stay on open routes."

Grandma added, "Rules can change from year to year, season to season, and sometimes day to day. We do not guess. We check."

Rory's tail flicked. "Wild animals already watch for danger. We do not make their day harder by creeping close."

Think About It: Why is checking current rules part of being kind to wildlife as well as being safe for people?

The Mud Notebook

Grandma gave Tootie a pencil and told him not to touch the track. "Draw its shape. Write where you found it. Was the ground wet or dry? Sunny or shady? Open or covered?"

Tootie drew two pointed marks, three wet leaves, and a blob that was supposed to be Yoshi.

"That looks like a potato with ears," Yoshi said.

"It is an action picture," Tootie replied.

"A field notebook does not have to be perfect," Rory said. "It has to help you remember what you saw."

Tootie wrote in large letters: WHERE DID RORY GO?

Rory had already stepped back into cover. Her white tail flashed once, then disappeared.

Try It Yourself: After rain, look for tracks in a safe place with an adult. Draw one track without touching it. Write three things about the place around it, then leave the track alone.

Words to Know

Wildlife management area: Public land managed for wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. Rules, permits, and seasons can apply.

Track: A mark an animal leaves while moving across mud, soil, sand, snow, or another surface.

Browse: Leaves, twigs, and other plant parts eaten by animals such as deer.

Cover: Plants, trees, brush, or land features that help an animal hide or rest.

Questions Kids Ask

Can I pet a deer if it comes close? No. Wild deer need space. They may kick, bolt, carry parasites, or become used to people in unsafe ways.

Why do deer freeze when they see something? Staying still can help a deer decide whether danger is nearby.

Do I need a permit just to visit a WMA? Requirements can apply and may change. Check current LDWF information for the exact WMA before you go.