TF is a Yearling?

I was in the car, driving slowly enough to stir up no dust on a dirt road. Off to the driver’s side and down a ditch-bank, in the freezing spring water, stood a spotted fawn. They looked directly at me, just passing on by. I was thrilled! I told everyone, “I saw a spotty little yearling!” and not a single soul, not my wife or anyone, knew what I was talking about. One guy whose intellect I respect asked whether it was a bird, or what have I. He told me, when I told him, “that’s pastoral as fuck”.

In spite of it all, the yearling or whatever was a mood-lifter, if not an omen of any great times.

…was I the only little kid that read this book? How does no one know this term?