...at the wildlife preserve @ the crack of dawn. It was cold out but the light looked promising. As I walked the trail, I spotted a deer in the lake a distance in front of me. My mind raced. Could I get close enough to photograph it without spooking it? The sun was just starting to hit the portion of the lake where the deer was. If I could get close enough, it could be a spectacular opportunity. I ducked into the woods and as quietly as possible approached where the deer was. To avoid being seen, I took an indirect, concealed, route. This meant that I had no idea if there deer had left. When I got within 20 yards I could hear the deer in the water, just on the other side of the bushes between us. So far so good, but I had to find an unobstructed view without spooking the deer. As I slowly moved, I cought a glimps of an antler. It was a buck! Joy and happiness-what a shot this was going to be!
When I finally got into position the buck was still there, but my heart sank...
As you can see he wasn't in the best shape. One of his antlers was broken off. He was unable to close his mouth or retract his tongue. He was having a real difficult time getting a drink. I guess these are what preoccupied him so much that I could get so close.
I creapt away quitely, leaving him to his worries. The last thing he needed was to be spooked.
I always feel terrible to see an animal in this kind of shape. I'm a hunter, but I have no hatred or ill will to the animals. I enjoy watching them live their life, and it's indeed sad to see this.
Most of the wildlife preserves have rangers/wardens monitoring the health of the animals. See if you can find out who they are and let them know about the buck. In his condition he probably isn't going to go too far from where you saw him.
If you can't find out, ring the local branch of your SPCA, if they can't deal with it they'll know who can.
Looks like a broke lower jaw to me. Many ways this can happen in nature or man-related. To bad, but mother nature will take of him. Here in Colorado a mountain lion would take care of the situation quite fast, hope you have some close.
You should definately let some one know to look for this animal so it can be put down and not allowed to starve to death.
Being it's a wild life preserve a conservation boerd probably manages it.
Looks like trauma to the head - broken jaw maybe. Must have been in a tussel, maybe even hit by a car, glancing blow.
It's more likely that Darwin will get to him before the rangers (natural selection and all that).
-J
I asked a friend of mine who's the chairman of the local Hunter Education Program here and he said he was most likely hit by a car (because of the broken jaw coupled with the broken antler).
He agrees that the coyotes or wolves will most likely take care of him soon.
Sometimes the circle of life is depressing. Where's walt Disney when you need him?
Looks like trauma to the head - broken jaw maybe. Must have been in a tussel, maybe even hit by a car, glancing blow.
It's more likely that Darwin will get to him before the rangers (natural selection and all that).
-J
I asked a friend of mine who's the chairman of the local Hunter Education Program here and he said he was most likely hit by a car (because of the broken jaw coupled with the broken antler).
He agrees that the coyotes or wolves will most likely take care of him soon.
Sometimes the circle of life is depressing. Where's walt Disney when you need him?
I did show the pictures to the senior naturalist at the preserve ( he is an aquaintance of mine ). He said that they would keep an eye out for the buck, but that they would most likely let nature run it's course.
BTW I saw my first Pileated Woodpecker today. After the deer.
It does look like a deer had a glancing blow with a car or a truck.
I heard that deers kill more people in the US than any other animal from car vs. deer crashes. When I lived in MO, it was fairly common for people to run into deers.
I did show the pictures to the senior naturalist at the preserve ( he is an aquaintance of mine ). He said that they would keep an eye out for the buck, but that they would most likely let nature run it's course.
That just sucks!!! Could you possibly call a local wildlife center and let them know what happened and as well as what the naturalist said.. (being a volunteer at a wildlife center myself It makes my tummy ill to think of the fate of this fella with out intervention. After all it appears it was humans who caused the injuries so why then wouldnt the caretakers of the preserve do whats humane and provide the drugs that will help with head trauma *yes they do exist with great results* .. or put the animal out of its pain.... Sorry to vent but this kind of stuff I'm not able to ignore.. if something can be done.. it should be in my opinion and if I'm able to advocate for the animal who doesnt have a voice I do.
It does look like a deer had a glancing blow with a car or a truck.
I heard that deers kill more people in the US than any other animal from car vs. deer crashes. When I lived in MO, it was fairly common for people to run into deers.
Sad...
there was a young man here that was recently killed when he hit a deer with his truck and the deer came through the windshield. the young man survived the accident but he was badly hurt and disoriented. they think he was trying to go for help but wandered into the woods by mistake and died from his injuries. he was only 19. very sad :(
That is so sad, but very creepy. Almost like a scene from a horror movie. You see this beautyful animal and then it turns around... Reminded of a scene from The Grudge.
I hope some hunter finds it before it starves to death.
