a painting of a deer in the woods

Beautiful doe in winter. She is standing with ears pricked after having seen something move in the trees. The snow is deep and a man is standing on the edge of the woodland. Has he got a rifle in his hand or is it just a walking stick to help him through the snow. He’s obviously seen the deer and stands a long while watching the animal as quietly as he can. Deer are food for every predator. It seems cruel that such an elegant animal has evolved to be so vulnerable.