Famed Bend mule deer ‘Buck Norris’ struck, killed

Sad news Friday for Bend-area deer-watchers: The famous, much-photographed Bend mule deer “Buck Norris” was struck by a vehicle and killed, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported..

It happened in a high-density area near 3110 N. Business Highway 97 (Third Street south of Empire Avenue) Friday morning, said agency spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy.

Buck Norris was known for his large, non-typical antlers and was beloved by Bend locals and wildlife watchers statewide.

Long time Bend resident Steve Mathers said he first saw Buck Norris in his backyard a few years ago.

“The first time I saw him, that’s when I got my best pictures of him. He was just wandering. He was not afraid of people. You could get fairly close to him and get good pictures,” Mathers said.

He was estimated to be 9-10 years old, which is older for a mule deer buck, Dennehy said.

City of Bend road crews located Buck’s carcass after the accident and notified ODFW. An ear tag (#35), which was put on by ODFW after staff detangled Buck from heavy wire wrapped around his neck last year, confirms the animal killed is Buck Norris.

“ODFW staff in the Bend area and statewide are saddened by the loss,” Dennehy said in a brief announcement.

Unfortunately, vehicle-wildlife collisions happen throughout Oregon and are more common around high density areas — and in the Bend/Central Oregon area in particular, she said..

While Buck Norris’ habit of staying within Bend city limits helped protect him to an older age, it finally put him at risk, the agency said.

“Thankfully, we have not received word that the driver or any person was harmed in the incident,” Dennehy added..