Deck the halls, Not the Deer: Decorate for the Holidays with Wildlife in Mind

Description: A deer tangled in Christmas lights. (Courtesy of Alan Ziff)

Deck the halls, Not the Deer: Decorate for the Holidays with Wildlife in Mind

Dec. 9, 2024

DURANGO, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices have received increased calls regarding antlered deer tangled in holiday decorations and yard equipment.

These types of reports are common in the month of December. While deer are curious and tangle hazards can present themselves at any time, bucks may also spar with and become tangled in swing sets, volleyball nets, bicycles, vegetable-wire cages, hoses and more during the mating season, otherwise known as the rut. 

In the last month in Durango, wildlife officers have had to tranquilize and free multiple bucks from netting attached the soccer goals, batting cages, gardens and more. Along with these common tangle hazards, holiday lights become a constant hazard to bucks this time of year. 

The public can help by making sure holiday decorations and lights are attached firmly to structures and strung at least eight feet off the ground. Do not drape lights loose on top of shrubbery or wrap lights around the trunks of trees, which bucks rub their antlers on to sharpen them during the mating season.

Stringing lights or other decorations between trees and bushes where deer can pass through should also be avoided.

“Our wildlife officers respond to calls every year of deer stuck in various netting and holiday decorations,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta. “In some cases, these hazards prevent the deer from being able to eat and breathe. Additionally, this causes high levels of stress on the animal and can lead to fatality.”

Archuleta stressed the importance of the public notifying their local CPW office when they notice a deer caught in an entanglement, as stressed wildlife may act more unpredictable and aggressive, especially during mating season.

“When deer do become entangled, it is important for the public to call their closest CPW office quickly with location information,” he said. “People should never try to free deer of these hazards themselves because of the serious risk of injury that can be caused by antlers and hooves.”
      
Drivers are also reminded to slow down and be on the lookout for deer on highways. Not only are bucks in pursuit of a mate, but animals are also migrating to winter range and will be more present crossing roadways both on highways and arterial roadways.

The rut for deer usually continues until late December. For more information on living with wildlife, go to: cpw.state.co.us/living-wildlife.

Related Content:

Pet Owners Urged to Watch Pets Carefully, Do Not Feed Deer During Rut

Pictured in the Gallery Below: Mule deer bucks have recently been tangled in soccer goals and batting cage netting in Durango. Both bucks pictured were tranquilized so wildlife officers could cut away the netting and set the deer free.

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Images Courtesy of CPW