DNR team comes to the rescue after deer gets tricked — not treated — with Halloween bucket

Here’s a fun story with a happy ending that was recently shared by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources:

“Glade Springs Director of Security Greg Duckworth contacted District Four Captain Woodrow Brogan about a yearling buck that had gotten himself into a peculiar situation,” the W.Va. Natural Resources Police wrote on their Facebook page Thursday. “After reviewing the evidence, District Biologist Todd Dowdy was brought on board with hopes of finding a positive outcome to the little bucks plight. It seems that the young fellow had stuck his head inside a plastic Halloween bucket and the handle hooked over his button horn prohibiting him from removing his head.

“Since the scenario involved a man-made article and a not a hazard that typically occurs in nature, a team of biologists armed with a tranquilizer gun began a long and grueling six-day search and rescue mission.

“Assisted by Glade Springs Security, they were eventually able to corral the deer into a safe area where he was darted and the bucket was removed. Other than the obvious lack of food and water, the button buck didn’t appear to be any worse for wear; but he has probably lost all of his Halloween spirit.

“As with all animals that the biologists tranquilize, the deer was tagged and all the vital statistics were recorded. We would like to give a special thanks to our wildlife guys and gal that went above and beyond to release this little guy from eventual starvation.”

Local Businesses

Recent Stories

Softball Lady Bucs storm past Huskies for 10-4 win

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs broke open a tight game with a six-run sixth inning to beat North Marion 10-4, piling up 13 hits. Maddie Tucker had three hits, Marple earned the win, and Pastorius notched a save as B-U won its fifth straight to move to 6-1 (5-0 Big 10).

Upshur County CVB hiring part-time operations assistant

Upshur County CVB is hiring a part-time operations assistant to staff the Visitors Center on weekends and support marketing and community outreach. The role pays $14/hour; applications received by close of business April 10 will be reviewed, with hiring open until filled.