As the early morning sun barely peeks over the horizon, a remarkable scene unfolds in Richard McMahon’s backyard. Around 200 white-tailed deer, their breath misting in the frigid January air, gather with anticipation. It’s the heart of winter in Brownville, Maine, and these deer are hungry. Fortunately, Brownville Food Pantry For Deer is about to open, offering a lifeline in the harsh winter months. Just before 9 a.m., Richard and I hop into his unique vehicle, “the Oatmobile”—a modified four-wheeler equipped with a large hopper. He fills it to the brim with approximately 1,000 pounds of oats from his personal silo. With a gentle rumble, we descend the hill to greet the waiting herd, ready to begin the daily ritual at Brownville Food Pantry for Deer.
With the simple push of a button from inside the Oatmobile’s cozy cab, a stream of oats pours into the first of eight feeding troughs, neatly arranged in a semicircle. Richard’s son, Randy, follows closely behind, adding to the feast with buckets of sliced apples, foraged acorns, and specialized deer feed. Even before we reach the next trough, the bolder deer among the group begin to approach the buffet, eagerly diving into the offerings. Richard observes that while these wild deer arrive driven by hunger, they certainly leave satisfied and well-fed, thanks to the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer.
Richard, a 76-year-old with a lifelong affection for what he calls the “gentle souls of the forest,” has been captivated by deer since childhood. His early experiences feeding them peanuts at a game farm in New York left a lasting impression. This connection has fueled his dedication to feeding deer wherever he has lived, particularly in his current woodsy haven in Piscataquis County for over half a century. Understanding the severity of Brownville winters, Richard worries about the deer’s survival without assistance. Having grown up on venison and witnessed a decline in the local deer population over the years, he shifted his role. “Now, I feed them instead of them feeding me,” he reflects, expressing the deep joy he derives from supporting these animals through the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer.
This labor of love occupies the retired contractor for approximately 100 days each year, spanning from December 16th to early April. This period aligns with Maine’s legal window for feeding wild deer, a crucial detail for the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer operation. Each season, Richard anticipates distributing an impressive 37 tons of oats and hundreds of bushels of apples, a testament to the scale of the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer and his commitment to wildlife support.
Once the Oatmobile is emptied and the satisfying crunching sounds of deer enjoying their meal fill the air, we retreat to the house for a warm cup of chaga tea. As we walk back, a text message arrives: “We could hear you guys talking! You look great in the Oatmobile!” It turns out my boyfriend and his mother, miles away in Smithfield, are watching us live on YouTube, joining around 2,000 other viewers from across the globe, all tuning into the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer livestream.
Feeding wild deer is a generous act, but it comes with considerable expenses, especially at the scale of the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer. Five years ago, Richard devised a resourceful plan to help manage these costs: installing game cameras to livestream the feeding sessions. Today, Brownville’s Food Pantry for Deer boasts nearly 128,000 YouTube subscribers and over 57,000 Facebook followers. Wildlife enthusiasts from 158 countries regularly tune in to watch through various camera angles, including “trough view,” “close view,” “road view,” and “Richard’s PTZ” (pan, tilt, and zoom). The McMahons were surprised by the overwhelming popularity and the amount of work involved. Richard’s girlfriend, Belinda, dedicates hours daily to managing the online community, responding to messages, addressing inquiries, and sending thank-you notes to donors who support Brownville Food Pantry for Deer.
Scrolling through the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer’s chat and comment sections reveals a consistent stream of gratitude: “thank you,” “great job,” and “God bless” are common phrases. Many viewers express their daily routine of watching, with comments like, “Me and the wife watch it every morning and every night.” The word “obsessed” frequently appears, exemplified by a comment like, “Am I obsessed if I have 2 computers n 3 tablets streaming the deer n bird feeder 24/7?” This illustrates the captivating nature of the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer livestream.
Initially, the widespread fascination was puzzling. However, soon I too found myself drawn to the YouTube channel, regularly checking in on the “gentle souls of the forest.” Observing the deer gracefully move in and out, often with oats adorably stuck to their muzzles, had a surprisingly calming effect. Reaching out to some of the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer’s online followers revealed that Richard’s pantry provides more than just sustenance for Maine deer; it offers a sense of peace and connection to a global community.
Stories poured in from viewers whose lives are positively impacted by the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer. Patti from Illinois, who lives with agoraphobia, finds stress relief in watching the deer. Kenneth, a trucker, uses the livestream as a source of comfort during chemotherapy treatments. Marilyn, coping with panic disorder, finds the deer’s presence soothing. Denise considers it a blessing for those struggling with insomnia. Sergey, a pensioner in Russia with disabilities, shares that watching the animals brings him peace of mind. For Dahlma in San Diego, the winter scenes evoke cherished childhood memories of Hungary, where her family now also watches the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer. Toni watches and remembers her dear friend Barb, who passed away, finding solace in knowing, “she had a much better view than I did from up above.”
The Brownville Food Pantry for Deer livestream’s therapeutic effect explains its presence on TVs in schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. Teachers and nurses have observed its calming influence on students and patients alike. Elias, a 17-year-old from a medieval mountain town in Austria, articulated the deeper meaning for many viewers. He and his mother discovered the deer pantry while searching for cat videos during the pandemic. Now, they watch several times a day. “You know, the world is so uncertain at the moment, with inflation and all the conflicts,” Elias explained. “Watching the deer gives me a sense of security. It represents an always-okay world.” This sentiment resonates with many who find comfort and stability in the simple, consistent act of nature provided by the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer.
The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIFW) maintains a neutral stance on feeding wild deer. While they offer best practice advice, they don’t actively encourage it. DIFW biologist Nathan Bieber explains that deer naturally rely on their fat reserves during winter. “It’s just how they do it. If you give them food, they’ll eat it because it’s food and it’s in their face. But they don’t need it in most of Maine. They really don’t.” However, Bieber acknowledges that if someone chooses to feed deer, long-term commitment is crucial. “Once you start, you can’t really stop. You don’t want to pull the rug out from under them.” This highlights the ongoing responsibility Richard has undertaken with the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer.
Now in their 14th season, Richard and Randy are already planning for the future of Brownville Food Pantry for Deer. Next year, they aim to upgrade the Oatmobile to a pickup truck to transport even more oats, further expanding their capacity to support the deer. Their long-term vision includes establishing a permanent nature preserve, ensuring a lasting sanctuary for these animals. Randy, 39, is committed to continuing the pantry’s operation should his father ever step back, ensuring the legacy of Brownville Food Pantry for Deer endures. Richard’s dedication remains unwavering. “The way I feel now,” he states with conviction, “I’m good to go for at least another ten.” This enduring commitment ensures that the Brownville Food Pantry for Deer will continue to be a source of nourishment for both the local deer population and a global community seeking solace and connection with nature.
