Young Blacktail Deer

[jeeperman]

Found this youngster and mom feeding in a grassy patch in Kenmore, WA. Just a few blocks from home. Looks like the little one may have been hit by a car, wouldn't use the left front leg and it looked broke. Hope he heals up and makes it through the winter. He was all but 60lbs.

[Mike Buckley]

Very nice image of a very sad situation, Paul. What are the predators of deer that would make this one especially vulnerable with its bad leg?

[Dave Humphries]

Good shot Paul,

Shame about the subject though.

[jprzybyla]

Sometimes one feels so helpless. I wonder if the short leg is a birth defect because it seem so much shorter than the other leg? I wish it good fortune in a bad situation.

[jeeperman]

Thanks Mike, Coyotes would be it's biggest threat here in town. Although they will likely not bother it as they have plenty of cats to feed on.

Thanks Dave, agreed.

Thanks, Joe. I don't think it was a birth defect, as I watched them leave...the leg seemed to swing above the knee joint. Also the inside of the ear seemed to be inflamed and pinker than normal. Thinking the head got knocked as well. The little guy was feeding though, that is a good sign. It won't get cold enough or have enough snow here to starve him as long as he can avoid another car he has a chance.

[HiImTom]

Love the deer, I have only seen white tail in my life. Thanks for sharing.

[jeeperman]

Thanks Tom. We have Blacktail, White tail and Mulies here but the Blacktail are the smallest. They need to be to get through the thick undergrowth on this side of the mountains. My dog is twice the size of this little one.

[jamn4ex]

That is sad . A great shot though.

[jeeperman]

Yes it is a bit sad, but I have hope for him. Thanks James.

[Bobobird]

A call to animal services might be of some help?

[jeeperman]

Same thought I had, but they say....let nature take it's course. If it were getting into traffic or in a neighborhood or deceased, then they would act. For now it is surviving and short of a tranq dart they feel trying to catch it would likely do it more harm. We can just hope for the best.

[rawill]

I farmed deer, and have seen this happen. It will be my pick the leg will fall off, and if it doesn't get killed by predators it will survive.

[jeeperman]

That would be my guess as well Robin. Providing the brake is bad enough and it does not just heal with a severe limp. Then again I have not farmed deer and will bet you know better.

[Jack R Mann]

Nice shot Paul. I think maby a luckeey fender bender for the deer wish her the best.

[jeeperman]

Thank you, Jack. Very lucky I think. Not many walk away from a collision with moving steel.

[Steve S]

Nice shot paul, i've seen this happen alot of times. Usually it will heal with a large knot in the leg bone just like you see in the photo. I doubt the leg will fall off and it will have use of the leg (maybe a slight limp) after it heals. Deer are amazing animals.

[jeeperman]

Thank you, Steve. Maybe I will get lucky a cross it's path again. I would like to see the the little one made it. I live in a pretty populated area, we have small sections inbetween developments that are still wooded {disapearing daily} it is right surprising to see deer in town but would be more of a surprise to learn just how many are here, I am sure.