I have a Canon 10D that I have had for over two years and a 30D that I have had for about 7 months. My longest lens in the Canon 300mm f4L IS. I do have a 1.4 TC that I use on that lens sometimes though.
I like you back yard too. I see deer sometimes in my back yard but not as much for the past year or so as I use to, since my neighbor got a dog. Dang thing barks every time the wind rattles the leaves. That kind of changed the deers travel route a little.
Bruce