Recent Deer Attacks Cause for Fear?

The Department of Fish and Game is reminding Californians that feeding deer is a dangerous and illegal practice. Three incidents this month have provided examples of the harm that can befall people, wildlife and pets when humans feed and allow deer to become too comfortable around them.

All three events since late September followed the same pattern: humans fed deer that then became aggressive and attacked when humans came too close to them.

In San Diego County, a man died several weeks after he was gored in the mouth by a buck he surprised while working in his backyard. Other incidents included a buck attacking a couple in their garden in Mendocino County, and a buck in Orinda attacking two dogs, killing one of them.

In all of these incidents, the deer involved was eventually killed by DFG or federal wildlife officials.

The question that needs to be asked is what is truly prompting deer to attack unarmed humans with such frequency in the last two months?

Could it be that deer are beginning to associate people with food or as food? Or could it be some sort of new deer paramilitary movement to rid themselves of this human nuisance in their territories?

Some of life's questions are never answered!