B.C.'s own Deer Santa strolls through downtown Invermere sporting holiday cheer

Invermere, B.C., residents recently spotted a deer buck with Christmas lights on his antlers.

'Deer caught in head lights' freed by conservation officer

Tom Popyk CBC News Posted: Dec 09, 2020 10:27 PM EST | Last Updated: December 10, 2020

A mule deer buck in Invermere, B.C., had his antlers caught in Christmas lights, but was untangled by a conservation officer. (B.C. Conservation Service)

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer has some more Canadian competition, courtesy of a mule deer buck tangled up in holiday lights.

Residents in Invermere, B.C.,spottedthe skittish animal in November and theB.C. Conservation Officer Service jumped into action when the buck made its way down main street.

"I got a call just as I was heading downtown, and was able to meet it right away," said conservation officer Matt Hall.

Hall snapped photos of the mature male deer,its majestic antlers wrapped in white bulbs.But the images weren't shared until a BCCOS tweet on Monday.

This Rudolph has some very shiny antlers: Deer gets in a tangle with Christmas lights

Oh Deer! It wasnt all merry and bright for this mule deer buck in #Invermere, which found itself caught up in Christmas lights. But don't worry, COs were able to safely sedate the animal and free it of its festive headwear.
—@_BCCOS

Hall says Invermere's urban deer population often gets into trouble.

"We get calls sort of like this, a few times a year, deer getting caught up in tomato baskets and planters. But this is the first with Christmas lights," he said.

Urban deer problematic for a decade

The East Kootenay community has struggled with its urban deer population for more than a decade. Some residents see the animals as a pest, while others are fiercely protective.

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In 2019, a man was spotted cradling a wide-eyed, blinking fawn in a local liquor store, believing the newborn hadbeen abandoned and hoping to help.

In 2012, the town became one of the first B.C. communities to authorize a cull of urban deer, sparking court battlesand criminal charges against some protesters.

Happy holiday ending

Hallfigures this buck's antlers became entangled withlow-hanging lights draped in tree branches because this is the time of year when bucks rub tree trunks to mark territory and attract mates.

The holiday display seemed to catch the attention of some other deers.

"A doe and two fawns were watching the whole time,"said Hall.

B.C. Conservation Officer Matt Hall removed the lights from the animal's head. (B.C. Conservation Service)

While the light didn't seem to faze the buck, plastic debris can be a serious problem.Cords could have tripped up the animal, duginto tissueand caused distress.

The yule mule deer's problem was solved by a shorthunt and simple tranquilizer dart.

"I was able to remove the lights and send it on its way," said Hall. "It's always a good feeling."