Tag: Deer

Rare sight as cougar hauls deer across Colorado ‘backyard’

Colorado Parks and Wildlife explained that the mountain lion was “on its way to cache (or store) its food.”

A Colorado resident has captured extraordinary footage showing a mountain lion hauling its deer kill across a meadow in Larimer County.

“Our Backyard. Glacier View Meadows, Livermore, CO,” Shari Fortson described Friday via X.

Mountain lions, or cougars, commonly prey on deer. But the cats are most active at dawn and dusk so predation events are rarely witnessed.

In the footage, the mountain lion pauses occasionally as if to rest or obtain a better grip on the carcass.

Fortson’s video was shared by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department, which remarked: “This is a rare look at a mountain lion on its way to cache (or store) its food. The lion will return to their cache over the next few days to continue eating.”

The most popular comment beneath Fortson’s post was in reference to the cougar: “Looks more like his backyard.”

Glacier View Meadows is a rural paradise near the Arapaho National Forest along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

–Generic cougar image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Trapped deer gets stuck in Old Navy, breaks glass to escape

Watch this critter break free.

Deer are one of the most common animals in the United States. North America is home to about 35 million of these critters, and several states claim the deer as their representative animal. Most Americans have probably seen a deer up close. Backyard deer sightings aren’t uncommon for many people, especially those who live on the East Coast.

What is uncommon is seeing a deer trapped inside an Old Navy store. On February 15, this strange sight is exactly what several shoppers in Greenville, South Carolina, witnessed. According to local news outlet WYFF 4, a troubled deer was seen frantically trying to escape from an Old Navy at Greenville’s Cherrydale Point Plaza.

See the deer make its escape in the video below. As a warning for all animal lovers out there, this video does contain images of an injured animal in distress.

Note: The featured image is a stock photo used to illustrate the story.

Hunter who bagged potential record deer under investigation

Christopher J. Alexander, who gained notoriety after killing the buck during archery season, is facing poaching allegations.

An Ohio hunter who gained notoriety after killing a potential record white-tailed deer last month during archery season is at the center of a poaching investigation.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday confirmed that its Division of Wildlife is investigating allegations that Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, failed to obtain written permission from the owner of the private land on which the deer was harvested.

“While the investigation continues, Ohio wildlife officers have seized the antlers, cape, and hunting equipment associated with the alleged unlawful taking of the deer,” the DNR stated in a news release.

According to Outdoor Life, hunters on social-media forums had expressed suspicion that the deer might have been harvested illegally at night, since published photos showing Alexander posing with the buck were taken after dark.

Alexander’s explanation, according to Outdoor Life, was that the deer was harvested during legal hours but the photos were taken later, after a friend’s girlfriend arrived with a camera.

The DNR did not mention allegations of after-hours hunting.

The agency stated, simply, that the investigation was launched “after information was provided alleging that Alexander failed to obtain the lawfully required written permission prior to hunting on private property.”

Outdoor Life, citing an expert, reported that the buck warranted a “green score” of 206 7 / 8 inches.

“With that preliminary score,” the publication continued, “the buck would have the potential to be the number one typical whitetail taken in the state of Ohio, and the number three typical whitetail taken in North America.”

Alexander faces a significant fine, at the least, if he’s found guilty of illegally harvesting the buck.

–Generic white-tailed deer image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

What you should know about the deer in your backyard

Here are some fawn deer facts.

Most people who live in the United States have seen a few deer roaming the wilderness. After all, there are roughly 35 million deer in North America. While several native deer species call the U.S. home, you’re probably most familiar with the iconic and ubiquitous white-tailed deer. These critters are the representative animal (or mammal) for 13 states and served as the inspiration for Disney’s “Bambi.” So, let’s learn more about them.

Whether you like to hunt deer or watch them from your front porch, these five interesting deer facts will pique your curiosity. Here’s what you should know about these animals.

Plus, learn about the fascinating muntjac deer here.

Stampeding deer halt traffic in Hawaii, video put to surf music

A commuter on Molokai has captured surreal footage that shows deer stampeding across the island’s main highway, halting traffic.

A commuter on Molokai has captured surreal footage showing deer stampeding across the Hawaiian island’s main highway, halting traffic.

The footage was captured Nov. 10 by Pono Poepoe while he stopped to watch dozens of axis deer sprinting across the road in columns. His video was sent to Hawaii News Now, which put the dramatic scene to surf music.

“Molokai is not known for its long wait times on the road — but it is definitely known for having too many deer,” Hawaii News Now declared.

Facing Poepoe, opposite the deer, are a bicyclist and moped driver, caught between stampeding deer columns.

Axis deer were introduced to Molokai in the 1860s and now exist on Molokai, Lanai and Maui. With no natural predators, the animals have multiplied to where they pose a significant threat to native vegetation.

Axis deer populations on these islands are controlled, in part, via public hunting.

–Generic axis deer image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

10-year-old hunter accidentally shoots man in buttocks

A Minnesota man was hospitalized with serious injuries Sunday after his 10-year-old hunting partner accidentally shot him in the buttocks.

A Minnesota man was hospitalized with serious injuries Sunday after his 10-year-old hunting partner accidentally shot him in the buttocks.

Valley News Live reported that the incident occurred in Hubbard County during opening weekend of the youth deer-hunting season.

The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Department, which responded to the incident, identified the man as Gary Peters.

Peters, 50, had accompanied the youth on a hunt earlier Sunday. Back at his truck, he instructed the youth to unload the bolt-action 270-caliber rifle.

While attempting to do so, the child apparently pulled the trigger, with the bullet passing through both of Peters’ buttocks.

Peters was transported to a nearby hospital and subsequently airlifted to a larger hospital in Fargo.

–Generic deer image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Deer seen with collar and ‘PET’ written on its body; reaction is mixed

Someone was apparently thinking they would protect the deer from hunters by doing what they did, but did they do it more harm than good?

Someone in Missouri thought it would be a good idea to fasten a collar around a deer and write “PET” on the side of its body, apparently thinking it would protect the animal from hunters.

Whatever the reason, the Missouri Dept. of Conservation warned that it’s not a good idea, and that they are doing the deer more harm than good, no matter how well-intentioned they might have been. It’s also illegal.

The MDC responded to the area after being alerted by a concerned landowner, but by the time an agent arrived the deer was gone and its whereabouts are unknown, as reported by the Belleville News-Democrat.

“Somebody most likely took that deer out of the wild as a fawn and tried to keep it as a pet and put a collar on it,” MDC Capt. Scott Corley told McClatchy News. He added that the deer has “definitely lost its fear of humans.”

“We’re concerned with the health of the deer,” Corley said. “And nowadays since we have issues with chronic wasting disease and other disease issues, [interaction] is not safe for humans and it’s not in the best interest of the animal’s welfare.

“Obviously they thought they were keeping it safe. Maybe going into hunting season they thought painting ‘pet’ on it, somebody won’t shoot it if it comes by. That’s just not a good idea by any means.”

More from the Belleville News-Democrat:

Deer hunting season coincides with mating season, when male deer are at their most dangerous, Corley said. The deer may have been friendly in dealing with people before, but a buck in mating mode is aggressive. Aggression and a lack of fear toward humans is a bad combination.

“When they took him out of the wild his first year … he didn’t have all those hormones running through him,” he said. “Now he can be aggressive and it can cause problems.”

If the department captures the deer, agents could remove its collar then try to ‘harass’ it to move it back into the wild. Ultimately, it might be best to euthanize the deer.

Corley said if the deer is aggressive toward people, putting it down will be an option, adding that the last thing they want to happen is for the deer to gore somebody.

People on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page gave mixed reactions to the situation. Among the comments:

“Unbelievable!!”

“They just don’t want their friend shot.”

“You can have a pet deer as long as you don’t confine it. I get someone not wanting their pet shot.”

“Wait till some kids see this, walk up and think it’s ok to pet this fella.”

“I don’t care what anyone says, if you can put the word ‘pet’ on the side of a deer…(it’s) your pet.”

“One thing to help a wild animal. But you have to let them go. You’re not helping them by making them dependent on you. They are wild animals.”

“My grandpa’s neighbors PET deer mauled my daughter years ago when she tried to pet it. People, they are wild animals.”

“People who want to interfere with everything. Let nature do its thing.”

Corley agrees, telling the Belleville News-Democrat, “It ends in a bad situation for the deer by taking them out of the wild. They have a lot better chance if you leave them where they’re at and don’t touch them.”

 

Watch: Deer nearly jumps out of its skin when scared by raccoon

A deer didn’t notice a raccoon feeding alongside it, as it was nighttime. But when it did notice, the deer’s reaction was priceless.

A trail camera set up near a corn feeder in North Carolina captured the moment a raccoon began feeding alongside a deer without the deer noticing. But when it did notice, the deer nearly jumped out of its skin.

The incident occurred last Friday in Connelly Springs. The video description is simply this: “A trail camera captures a raccoon scaring a deer in the dark.”

But the video could also be described as hilarious.

“That’s some funny stuff right there,” one commenter on YouTube wrote.

Tiger’s ambush attack on deer ‘will leave you surprised’

A journalist in India has shared footage showing an ambush attack by a tiger that didn’t go quite as planned.

A journalist in India has shared footage showing an ambush attack by a tiger that didn’t go quite as planned.

“This stunning video of a Royal Bengal Tiger chasing a deer in West Bengal’s Sunderbans will leave you surprised,” Piyali Mitra wrote on Twitter.

The footage, credited to Anup Kayal, shows the tiger crouched at the left, waiting for an opportunity to strike, as three unsuspecting deer browse just yards away.

However, as the tiger pounces, the deer scatter, and the tiger chases one into the water.

Susanta Nanda of the India Forest Service observed: “Tigers of Sunderbans mangroves are [adapted] to catch the prey even in water. But here is one that dodged the big cat.”

In the footage the tiger appears to be on top of the deer. But the deer changed direction underwater and surfaced well out of reach, signifying the end of the hunt.

Tigers, quite often, are not successful in catching prey. On average, however, they kill about one large animal per week.

–Bengal tiger image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Black bear breaks into nature center, kills beloved deer

A nature center in Asheville, N.C., has announced the passing of two beloved white-tailed deer after a wild black bear broke into their enclosure.

A nature center in Asheville, N.C., has announced the passing of two beloved white-tailed deer after a wild black bear broke into their enclosure.

“With heavy hearts, the WNC Nature Center is sad to report the loss of Becca and Curly, our two white-tailed deer, last week,” the facility stated on Facebook. “They were found in the early morning, and though there are still some unanswered questions, it would appear that a wild black bear entered their exhibit and either directly or indirectly caused their passing.”

Becca, who was brought to the facility as a fawn in 2013, was featured in the Oscar-winning movie, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

Curly was born in 2012 and kept illegally as a pet before joining Becca at the center in 2020.

Chris Gentile, director of the WNC Nature Center, stated in a news release:

“This was an unfortunate accident that has never before occurred within our animal collection. While it’s a rare occurrence for something like this to happen, our Animal Care and Maintenance Teams have taken additional measures to dissuade and deter wild animals from entering our animal exhibits.”

Gentile told News 13 that the facility has since bolstered perimeter and exhibit fencing, and completed other improvements designed to prevent future intrusions by bears from the surrounding wilderness.

Gentile added: “Obviously we’re talking about two animals that have been with us for a while. I think the best thing to say right now is, our team is healing from this. It’s a very sad day for us.”

For her part in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Becca was trained to stand in front of a bluescreen for footage edited into a touching scene with co-star Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes. (The scene is posted above.)