I hope the deer will forgive me

In a week that’s been weirder than most, comes this:

I hit a deer.

It was Tuesday night around 8:30, taking a Bunny Road Trip. Heading along Istachatta Road right near the Hernando County line.

I’m quite familiar with that stretch of road. I drive slowly and expectantly because, you know, critters dart from the woods all the time.

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But I didn’t see this fella (gal?) until it was already in my headlights. I barely had time to slow before the front of my Kia thumped its hind end and scared the living daylights out of me.

I drove a bit farther and stopped to make sure we were OK. The car was damaged, but drivable. At least, I prayed so.

Now. Know this: I feel TERRIBLE about it. Deer are a common sight here at World Headquarters III, and today’s photo is from the original JWC World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson.

I often hear from readers who are concerned for wildlife during this crazy growth time. Our critters are being squeezed from their habitats, sent out into neighborhoods and parking lots, trying to get their bearings. Folks are noticing more dead animals along roadsides.

It’s deer I worry about the most.

Wildlife is cool if you can get close to it. Look at the marketing success of swimming with manatees in Crystal River. Interacting with animals in their setting instead of ours brings a balance that all involved appreciate.

And I never had it more abundantly than at that little cabin on the lake. It took a few years, but eventually deer lazily roamed the front and back yards. One day, a doe gave birth in the side yard right outside my window.

Then, a tragedy. We noticed that one deer had curled up underneath a back yard tree. That happens every so often, deer taking a load off their feet. This time, it didn’t get up. Its pals moved on, leaving this one alone.

Uh oh.

I didn’t know what to do. This deer was clearly in distress. I reached out to my animal friends, and they suggested Nature World Wildlife Rescue.

I called, and someone showed up an hour later. This was a hot Saturday afternoon. The volunteer bottle-fed the deer while I sat on the ground, holding its head in my lap. It would perk up every so often, but we could tell its eyes were starting to glaze over.

Eventually, the woman said there was nothing more we could do. She called someone with the state wildlife commission, which sent an officer to my house. He ended the deer’s suffering and then loaded it into the back of his pickup before driving off.

That memory lasted quite a while until it faded. After Tuesday night, I reached out to JJ Grow, who I know is an outdoors guy. I told him what happened and that I wanted to make a contribution to a wildlife nonprofit; could he suggest someone?

He did. It was the same group: Nature World Wildlife Rescue, a Homosassa nonprofit founded 40 years ago by legendary veterinarians, Drs. KC Nayfield and Mark Lowe of Midway Animal Hospital.

I’m sure you’re wondering about the Istachatta deer. I returned to the area Wednesday morning and saw no signs of a dead or injured animal. I hope that means it just has a sore hip and a story for the herd.

As for this human, insurance will cover the cost of repairs and a rental car. The entire incident has left me slightly off kilter.

This is my first deer strike, and I hope it’s the last. I’m always watching for wildlife during Bunny Road Trips, and I’ll do so even more now.

That’s how it looks this Thursday. Have a great one, friends.

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