Dozens of Deer Roam Free Around Oak Forest Hospital
I took this picture today over the fence of the Oak Forest Hospital, located in the south suburbs of Chicago. The hospital sits amidst 340 acres of woods and forest preserve.
I have driven by hundreds of times and always notice deer roaming amidst the trees around the campus. Last summer, I counted 24 of hem within an area the size of a football field. I cannot find any information on the net about this deer population, but from what I can tell, the entire area is fenced in, keeping the them within the hospital grounds.
Oak Forest Hospital also shares land with a Friary and Cemetery. This picture was taken as I drove down 159th St. I wanted to get into the hospital grounds to take better pictures, but it is gated and entry is forbidden for anything other than “official” business. Next time I get the sniffles, I’m there!
If anyone can give me more specifics about this large population of deer, I’d appreciate it. I love to shoot deer, but only with a camera!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
This is a beautiful shot, thanks for sharing it. Man, that would be neat to experience that many deer. I hope these deer are protected from hunters in that area, I can only picture hunters at the moment hearing what ya wrote.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:17 am
Homemom–yeah, it’s pretty cool seeing that many of them in one spot. I don’t think hunters are allowed in there because it is a forest preserve, but if the deer are fenced in as I suspect, then “thinning” would have to take place so they don’t overrun the place.
I’m not a deer hunter at all either..I am just a curious local.