Wildlife agents, police free tangled buck

Eight pounds of netting from a hammock were on the deer’s antlers

The buck seen around Ocean Shores for almost two weeks with its antlers tangled has been caught and freed, the Ocean Shores Police Department reports.

What he had on his antlers was actually a full-sized hammock.

“For the past few weeks, the Police Department has received a great many calls about a deer walking around with a large amount of netting tangled in his antlers,” said a news release on Monday. “The deer was obviously having a difficult time getting around with the weight on his head, but was able to get away from anyone who tried to assist him.”

The first noted sighting was on Oct. 16 when a deer with rope on its antlers was reported in the 400 block of Sextans Avenue. Police reports show several more sightings over the next two weeks.

Animal Control Officer Shaun Beebe sought assistance from the state Department of Fish & Wildlife. A Wildlife officer with a tranquilizer gun came to Ocean Shores on a couple of occasions, but was unable to catch the deer.

On Oct. 27, Wildlife officers Scott Harris and Matt Blankenship along with Ocean Shores Police tried again and was able to successfully dart the buck. Once he was tranquilized, officers were able to free the deer.

After the hammock was removed from the buck’s antlers, officers stood by to keep other aggressive bucks from harming this one until he was steady on his feet again.

The buck had earned the name “Bob,” and had an estimated 8 pounds of the netting removed.