Residents are on lookout for deer with head stuck in bucket
Wildlife officials hope to get close enough to help.
Residents UPPER ARLINGTON — of Upper Arlington and the Northwest Side of Columbus are the lookout for a deer with its head trapped in a plastic Halloween candy bucket.
But if anyone spots the young buck, wildlife agencies say it’s probably safest to let nature take its course. At least for now.
Officials have been actively monitoring the deer since Sunday, after receiving many tips from concerned residents who spotted the animal trapped in the bright orange container in northwest Upper Arlington, near the Squirrel Bend and Slate Run neighborhoods.
“Hopefully the deer will be able to get the bucket off its head on its own,” said Matt Eiselstein, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
“If not, we’re still hopeful we’ll be able to approach it and resolve the situation if the animal slows down.”
Some residents posting on social media have suggested they’re going to trap the deer themselves to rescue it.
“But that could be dangerous, as the deer appears to be healthy and strong enough to injure someone or run away from those who are tracking it, officials said.
“Sometimes very good intentions can lead to very severe consequences,” said Stormy Gibson, the Ohio Wildlife Center’s education director.
The city is working with the two groups and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Ohio Wildlife Center is posting regular updates on its Facebook page about the situation.
Though many have asked about the possibility of tranquilizing the deer to remove the bucket, animals often immediately sedated after being hit with a dart, Eiselstein said.
“That could send it running in a populated area, which could cause a greater hazard to it or people in the area,” he said.
It would also introduce a drug into deer meat during deer-hunting season.
The deer was first spotted over the weekend and last spotted Thursday morning. Because the deer has survived this long, it’s somehow eating and drinking, Gibson said.
Unfortunately, the situation isn’t that uncommon, Eiselstein said. In late October, a deer was found trapped in a similar candy bucket in suburban Cincinnati. Residents tracked the animal for hours, caught it using catch poles and freed it, according to news reports. “We encourage everyone to put their buckets inside after Halloween,” Eiselstein said.
‘Hopefully the deer will be able to get the bucket off its head on its own. If not, we’re still hopeful we’ll be able to approach it and resolve the situation if the animal slows down.’
Matt Eiselstein
Ohio Department of National Resources Division of Wildlife spokesman