Posted on 05/25/2006 10:01:47 AM PDT by GreenEggsNHam
Deer Attack Three at Ill. University By JIM SUHR, Associated Press Writer 5 hours ago
CARBONDALE, Ill. - A year after the normally docile creatures attacked seven people on a university campus here, the deer have turned bullish again.
Three people were attacked by deer within minutes of each other Tuesday on a footpath at Southern Illinois University, police said Wednesday. One doe probably was responsible for all three attacks, said Todd Sigler, the school's public safety chief.
One worker needed stitches for a gash on his forehead, another suffered cuts, bruises and a sprained wrist, and a student was left with a scratched jaw. Two of the victims sought medical treatment.
This week's incidents came earlier in fawning season than last year's attacks, which officials attributed to a combination of protective motherly instinct, squeezed habitat and, in some cases, people trying to approach fawns. There was no indication that anyone hurt Tuesday had provoked the deer, Sigler said.
"It's bothersome," Sigler said. "We certainly appreciate the deer, and we don't want to get rid of them. At the same time, we don't want people getting injured. It's a difficult situation."
SIU officials last week launched a public-awareness campaign to implore anyone on the 20,000-student campus to watch out for deer, to not approach the animals and, if a wild-eyed deer starts bounding their way, run.
"The options explained to us last year _ relocating the deer, tranquilizing them, thinning them out (through controlled hunts) _ all come with a downside," Sigler said. "We're going to try this education approach first and see what happens."
The path where Tuesday's attacks occurred has been closed off; handwritten signs were posted reading "Caution: Deer attacks."
The path encircles a lake and is less than a mile from the thickly forested campus woods and paved trails where deer confronted many last June.
More than one deer was believed to be responsible for the 2005 run-ins, in which four people suffered mostly minor injuries and others were threatened.
Walking through the Thompson Woods on Wednesday, Jane Swanson talked of how people joked about the deer last summer, saying they were more worried about wildlife than muggers.
But the chair of the school's psychology department says it's no longer a laughing matter.
"It makes sense that these poor deer are trying to protect their newborns, but we've got to figure out something other then just avoiding the deer," she said.
Homer Simpson, walking down the path - "Oh look, a doe..............D'OH!"
" if a wild-eyed deer starts bounding their way, run."
Yeah, you can easily outrun a deer. I'd opt for climbing a tree! I used to live on 110 acres bordering the Cuyahoga National Park. Property was thick with deer! Never had one approach me. Course, maybe they could see my Redhawk 44 Mag!
I can hear Qui Gon Jin now..."Bambi...NO!!!!!!!!".
I see an animated short movie here.. The Revenge of Bambi or Bambi's Revenge.
"But the chair of the school's psychology department says it's no longer a laughing matter.
It makes sense that these poor deer are trying to protect their newborns, but we've got to figure out something other then just avoiding the deer," she said."
Sure it's a laughing matter. I'm LMAO at you! Poor deer? What about the poor guys with cracked heads? Take a slug gun or a bow and handle the problem, whimp.
Absolutely! We always make at least half the grind meat from our deer hunt into breakfast sausage. Nothing tastes better in the morning at deer camp. Lately we've been smoking quite a bit into summer sausage / slim jims too. Good stuff.
It's like something out of a horror movie.
The only good news is that sometimes that method of attack leaves the deer dead or too weakened, to finish off the humans that survive the initial savagery.
I'm prepared to be hammered for asking this question but I honestly don't know 'how' a deer attacks. Do they rear up and kick? Charge? Answers, anyone?
They rear up on their hind legs and kick at you with razor sharp hooves. Properly motivated they can be very aggressive.
A moose once bit my sister...
When a different moose bit my sister, she stuned him with her beeber. I'm series.
During the fall, a buck will come at you with his antlers, as well, but does normally have no antlers. Either way, you can get a serious hurt on.
" but I honestly don't know 'how' a deer attacks."
I don't know how they attack humans, but one near our picnic table at the Sand Dunes National Monument flicked a fly to its death by its nose.
Deer get PMS too.
Mynd you, moose bites Kan be pretti nasti...
"I hope you can view this video. Deer Boxing"
Many thanks. I was able to see the video. And of course I have seen deer rumble with one another. Simply didn't realize they also go after humans.
Appreciate your help!
I did, and the UN told me all deer were muslim....a little gamey tasting mind you, but you can soak it out of them.
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