On Sunday, January 22, 2022, Jacob Haydon Kziki got the chance to see one of Mendocino County’s marvels: a bevy of pure white fallow deer grazing along Highway 101 on the Willits Grade.
Fallow deer are native to Europe. Historians trace Mendocino County’s herd to a man named Charles Howard. Howard lived from 1877 to 1950 and become well-known for training thoroughbred horses, including the well-known Seabiscuit, at Ridgewood Ranch south of Willits.
William Randolph Hearst brought fallow deer to his ranch in San Simeon. Howard was able to procure a small gang of them and bring them to his Mendocino County ranch.
Mendocino County’s fallow deer are characterized as “leucistic” meaning they are white in color, but not albino. Fawns are often cream-colored and become pure white as they age.
Through time, the herd swelled to over 200 but has decreased in size.
I know a goat when I see one. FAKE NEWS.
Joe…you are incorrect. These are indeed fallow deer, not goats, and this photo is not photoshopped.
Barbara…you are incorrect. These are obviously goats. Have you seen a goat before? I would be happy to send you a picture of one if not so you also can properly identify goats in the future.
Joe, you don’t know what white variant of a fallow deer looks like! Here’s a picture Mr. Knowitall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_fallow_deer#/media/File:Dama_dama._Albinos.jpg
Beautiful animals. I have seen a few of these deers driving up and down the ridge
These beautiful & unique critters have been a delight for those of us living on the ranch & in Golden Rule Mobile Village. The herd restricts itself to the ranch area, rarely straying east of 101 or into human communities. The bucks have webbed antlers, much like a moose. Sadly, we may be losing our beloved herd as it appears the herd no longer includes any bucks!!
Dona Fridae Mitcham