Michigan First Responders Rescue Deer in Uncommon Situations During Peak Mating Season
As fall hunting seasons are underway and white-tailed deer begin seeking mates, Michigan’s law enforcement officers have encountered several unusual situations involving local deer populations.
The Michigan State Police shared on X that troopers assisted a deer that became trapped in a residential iron fence near Jackson. Meanwhile, first responders in Oakland County rescued a 4-point buck stranded between concrete barriers in the median of Interstate 75.
4-Point Buck Rescued from I-75 Median Near Auburn Hills
On Monday afternoon, October 13, Auburn Hills police responded to reports of a deer stuck in a narrow space between two concrete barriers on I-75 near Lapeer Road after being struck by a vehicle.
Due to safety concerns, the highway was temporarily shut down while the Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team carefully extracted the buck from a gap just one foot wide, according to an official press release.
“I’m proud of our team whose skill and determination made it possible to rescue this deer from certain death,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
After rescue, the buck sustained only minor bruises and was safely transported to the Bald Mountain Recreation Area where it was released back into a suitable natural habitat.
Deer Rescued From Fence Near Jackson
In a separate incident on Friday, October 10, Michigan State Police from the Jackson Post intervened after a deer became trapped in an iron fence in a residential neighborhood on Spring Arbor Road, Spring Arbor Township.
Using a floor jack and patience, officers managed to free the animal without causing injury. The Michigan State Police First District shared a video of the rescue on X, highlighting the successful effort.
Wildlife Context: Behavior Leads to Increased Human Interactions
- These rescues occurred during the peak of the deer rutting season, when bucks often exhibit increased movement and reduced caution.
- Male white-tailed deer, such as the rescued 4-point buck, aggressively seek mates, sometimes leading them into hazardous areas like highways and residential zones.
- Vehicular collisions with deer are especially common in fall due to this heightened activity and reduced awareness of surrounding dangers.
- Deer attempting to escape predators or pursue rivals may inadvertently get trapped in man-made structures like fences and highway medians.
These incidents demonstrate both the adaptability and vulnerability of deer in suburban and urban landscapes during sensitive biological periods. The timely response by Michigan’s first responders helped prevent what could have been fatal outcomes for these animals.
Contact Sarah Moore at [email protected] for further information. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press.
Additional reporting and sources from: First responders rescue pair of deer in unusual locations. What officers reported
