Saw something cool yet sad today

[rugerla1]

I was letting Advance Auto Parts charge and test my batter yesterday and decided to run to Karins Kustard for a shake. As I pulled out, I glanced off in the woods at this little swampy, runoff area that I always look into expecting to see deer but never see any. Well I almost snapped my neck back when I realized there was a deer in there this time and of all things it had a rack on it! Not wanting to cause an accident, I pulled off into the next parking lot about a 100 yards away from the buck and parked. As I walked back along the road, I thought to myself that I may spook him as soon as he sees my walking the roadside but what the heck. It was just cool to see him in there.

As I approach where I thought he was, I noticed him staring at me, and hadn't moved at all. He is an 8 pointer and best I can tell his right side is broke off. Lots of limbs in the way, but I couldn't see it. I stared at him just waiting for him to dart off. But he didn't. I noticed him raising his back left leg several times and was expecting each time to be him running away. After about 20 minutes I realized his leg that he kept raising had an injured spot on it. WIth the traffic through there, I'm assuming he got hit, but he could have gotten shot at the end of deer season. I'm leaning more towards being hit by a car. I called in to TWRA just to let them know. I didn't think there was anything they could do, but tried anyway. I hope he'll heal up. Pretty buck! All in all, I was there almost an hour just watching him from the road. It was awesome to see but sad because of the reason I was allowed such a long viewing of this tough feller. Sorry about the pictures but best I could do with my phone.

 

[ShaunM]

Maybe he will heal up.

[rugerla1]

Maybe he will heal up.

That's what I'm hoping. Aside from head, ear, and eye movement, he stayed in that one spot the entire time Shaun. I mean, not even one step. I don't blame him though, he will probably stay there as long as he can till he is forced to move or it heals up enough to put pressure on it. I'm sure it don't feel good running on three legs with the damaged one swinging around.

[Westwindmike]

Any chance his leg was in a leg hold trap? Since he didn't move from the spot.

[DaveS]

Sad part about it fellows, if and when the TWRA responds, its bye bye Mr. Deer. He may be stuck in a trap as already mention or he just doesn't feel like running. When it comes to healing after getting hurt, deer are amazing animals! He'll most likely will be just fine.

 

Then again..."Robo Buck"? We have one that gets used on Crosscreeks and Fort Campbell that moves on rails with moving legs, head, tail, everything!  And yes, he's been shot a bunch!

 

Dave

[rugerla1]

Any chance his leg was in a leg hold trap? Since he didn't move from the spot.

That was my initial thought after he didn't move for several minutes. But he didn't try to turn or anything. I was imagining if it was caught in something, he'd be trying to pull on it? That's when I started thinking maybe he was just resting since I never tried to close in on him. I may go back down there and see if he's still there and call TWRA back if he is.

[rugerla1]

Well guys, we can hold out hope. I'm here now and he is nowhere to be seen. Hopefully he is bedded down somewhere letting himself get better!

[DaveS]

Well guys, we can hold out hope. I'm here now and he is nowhere to be seen. Hopefully he is bedded down somewhere letting himself get better!

Sounds promising! Kudus to you for going back!

 

Dave

[rugerla1]

Sounds promising! Kudus to you for going back!
 
Dave

I wanted to go back this morning but its been pouring and didn't know if I'd be able to see him. Yesterday I wanted to walk towards him just to make sure he could move. But I was afraid he would run up the hill into traffic and possible get hit again. Fingera crossed for a fast recovery. I feel better that I didn't find him laying there dead today.

[Howler]

Deer are very tough animals. Back in the summer I had a little buck walk through my back yard. His back leg was broken and every time he set it down it made a loud crunch. Several of my neighbors have seen him since and seems to be doing well. A deer would have to be real bad for me to "put it down". 

 

I called TWRA last year and received permission to put down a small buck with a broken back. He was in a ditch and every time a vehicle passed he tried to pull himself into traffic. (because it was the only direction he could go) It's the only time I've killed a deer and felt bad about it.