Molalla Blacktail Deer Update

Updated Sept. 27, 2007

Overview

On Sept. 12, 2007, Oregon State Police personnel removed two illegally-held black-tailed deer from a private residence in Molalla. The doe (female) was taken out of the wild when she was fawn. According to the residents, the buck (male) is the offspring of the doe. Under Oregon law, it is illegal to remove wildlife from the wild or hold wildlife in captivity. These rules are in place to protect Oregon’s wildlife populations and for public safety. (Oregon Administrative Rule 635-049-0020 and 635-049-0070) Here are some answers to questions we are often asked.

Q. What is happening with the deer now?

A. Currently, the deer are under the care of state wildlife veterinarians and are responding well to the care they are being given. We continue to focus on improving their quality of life. We have been in discussion with the family’s attorney and have explained to him that state wildlife veterinarians need a better understanding of the health condition of the doe before any agreement can be made. Any agreement will include requirements needed to attend to the health needs of the doe for the remainder of her life.

The doe:

The doe is eating well and her behavior does not indicate she is stressed. She is being given anti-inflammatory medication to alleviate pain associated with her deformities. The veterinarians have seen an improvement in the doe’s mobility over the past few days and believe it will continue to improve when her hooves are trimmed, which is scheduled for next week. Also scheduled for next week are x-rays of the doe’s joints. The x-rays will help decide the best pain management therapy for her because she will need continued veterinary care for the rest of her life.

According to the treatment records the department received last week, the doe has not been seen by a veterinarian since July 2003. Because of the lack of medical history on the doe, the challenge has been determining the type and level of veterinary care needed to maintain her quality of life..

Also, the doe is entering the breeding season and vets are looking into the least invasive method of birth control. Based on her condition, it is not in her best interest to become pregnant.

Therefore, the buck and the doe have been separated from each other to protect the doe from becoming pregnant and from potential injury by the buck, which is also sexually mature and likely to exhibit aggressive behavior during the breeding season.

The buck:

We are getting the buck ready for release to the wild by the end of next week. He is a good candidate for release to the wild because he is strong enough physically and exhibits wariness of humans. Veterinarians continue to limit human contact with him, allowing him to forage in a more remote, natural environment. The buck will be released to native black-tailed deer habitat in western Oregon, to a restricted and secure area where hunting is not allowed and there is limited human access.

Q. What will happen to the doe in the long-term?

A. The doe is not a candidate for release due to deformities and her attachment to people. She suffers from congenital and degenerative conditions, making her permanently disabled. The options being discussed for long-term care are:

Placing her in an appropriate licensed facility where she can receive the veterinary care she needs.

Placing her with the Fillipetti family. The department is in discussions with the family’s attorney to find a solution that is within the limits of the law and that has the best interest of the doe and all Oregon’s wildlife. Any agreement with the family will describe the type of veterinary care needed to maintain the quality of life for the doe for the remainder of her life.

A decision on the placement of the doe won’t be made until x-rays are taken and reviewed by the state wildlife veterinarians. It is important that we have a very clear picture of the health condition of the doe so that an informed decision can be made that is in the best interest of the animal.

Q. Why are deer dangerous to people?

A. Deer that have grown accustomed to people (become habituated) lose their natural fear of people and can be dangerous. In this case, the buck has reached sexual maturity and poses a potential danger to people because of the natural aggressiveness male deer exhibit as they reach maturity. Last year in New York State, a man was mauled to death by a deer he had been raising as a pet. In Oregon in 2006, a habituated deer attacked an 11-year old girl in Waldport, Oregon. The girl suffered a bruised skull and jaw and cuts.

Q. Can you get a license to keep deer?

A. Licensed cervid (deer and elk) holding facilities are limited in Oregon due to rules put in place over concerns about the threat captive cervids present to wild cervids in terms of disease, genetics and competition.

A total of 24 Type 1 cervid licenses currently exist in Oregon. Some 16 are for commercial elk ranches which hold and raise domestic elk for meat and other commercial purposes. The other eight were either grandfathered in because they held deer or elk prior to 1993 when the rules were put in place or they are in research, educational or zoo-type facilities.

Q. What do I do if I find a seemingly abandoned or injured animal?

A. Every year, well-intentioned Oregonians “rescue” young animals and birds they believe have been abandoned, greatly reducing the animal's chance of survival. Following a few simple guidelines will keep young animals safe and where they belong—in the wild.

Don’t pick up a young animal. It’s safe to assume its mother left it there temporarily and will return.

If you find a nestling bird on the ground, gently and quickly return it to the nest or leave it where it is. Then leave the area. It very likely the bird is learning to fly.

If you believe an animal or bird is in danger or seriously hurt, call a local ODFW office or the Oregon State Police.

Young Wildlife

If you care, leave them there.