(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Southeast Region is monitoring a dear spotted in the Gleneagle area with red material caught in its antlers as of Tuesday, Sept. 23, prompting CPW to advise the community on the hazards webbed materials, such as Halloween decorations, can pose to wild animals.
According to CPW, Halloween webbing, string lights, netted hammocks, soccer and volleyball nets, and other hanging materials can tangle wildlife, and homeowners should consider wildlife safety when decorating outdoors.
During the autumn, wildlife migrates from their summer habitat to their winter range in search of mating opportunities, and animals on the move are vulnerable to hazards left by people living in their path. Items such as buckets, tires, and tomato cages can also be a danger.
According to CPW, bucks can be especially prone to getting entangled, as during breeding season, which hits its peak from mid-November through December, they will rub their antlers on objects to mark territory and signal their presence to rivals.
Animals caught in human equipment can experience a loss of mobility, vision, and the ability to eat and drink, and even the stress and exhaustion from trying to break free can be deadly to them.
Halloween decorations have become more popular over the years, causing an increase in wildlife entanglement incidents. CPW said homeowners can reduce the risk of their decorations becoming a hazard by attaching them tightly to buildings and trees and placing them higher than six feet. Lights or webs draped loosely over vegetation are a particular hazard.
CPW warns people that if they see an animal that has become entangled, they should call CPW and never try to free the animal themselves, as when they are stressed, they may act more aggressively and their hooves and antlers can cause serious injuries.
Callers should be prepared to give information about the animal’s location and the time it was observed, its behavior, whether it is tied to an object or still mobile, and if the hazard is preventing the animal from eating, drinking, or breathing.
As for the deer with the red headdress, it does not appear to be in any immediate danger, as antlered animals are highly resilient and naturally shed antlers annually, but CPW asks anyone who sees it to call (719) 227-5200 and report its location.
