Deer Unexpectedly Boards Angler’s Boat During Fishing Tournament in West Virginia
During a fishing tournament at East Lynn Lake, West Virginia, angler Steve Jackson experienced an unusual wildlife encounter when a deer suddenly jumped onto his boat.
The event occurred on September 27, during the B.A.S.S. Nation of West Virginia’s regional qualifying tournament for the state championship. Jackson, fishing near the lake’s bank, was surprised to see a small buck standing aboard his vessel.
Uncommon Behavior by a Wild Buck
Jackson estimated the deer to weigh approximately 210 pounds. According to him, the buck remained on the boat for about ten minutes, during which it exhibited playful behavior by pushing against him with its antlers.
Eventually, Jackson had to encourage the deer to disembark, which it did by leaping back into the water. He noted that about 30 minutes prior to the incident, the deer had approached him on the shore, allowing Jackson to pet it. This early interaction may have contributed to the buck following him onto the water and ultimately boarding his boat.
Wildlife Perspective: Understanding Deer Behavior
While deer are typically wary of humans and avoid water, this incident highlights how habituation to people can lead to atypical behavior. Bucks, especially during late summer and early fall, can exhibit increased curiosity or playful actions due to hormonal changes linked to the breeding season.
Deer have strong spatial awareness and swimming ability, but it is rare for them to climb onto boats. Such behavior often occurs when young males are exploring their environment or reacting to human interaction, as likely happened with Jackson’s encounter.
Community Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The remarkable scene attracted considerable attention on social media, generating over 22,000 reactions and comments by September 29. Many users humorously noted that Jackson “caught a deer” while fishing.
Despite only catching two fish, Jackson walked away with an uncommon story that merges outdoor sports with wildlife observation.
Additional reporting and sources from: Deer boards angler’s boat during tournament, WV photos show | Sacramento BeeGo to XGo to FacebookEmail this person
