Problem Solvers: Uncovering the hidden hazards that led to nearly 40 deer entanglements in Central Oregon last year

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- After distraught neighbors in Redmond contacted the KTVZ Problem Solvers about a mother doe with a trap stuck to her lip, we traveled to a local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office, which says Central Oregon saw nearly 40 incidents of deer getting entangled in human items, mostly left in backyards.

The issue is far from recent on the High Desert. ODFW's Ochoco District in Prineville shared photos from the 1990s, showing their biologists helping deer caught in human-made items. The biologists seen in the photos below worked for ODFW in Central Oregon for 40 years and say it's always been a problem.

Recently, upset neighbors in Redmond's Eagle Crest neighborhood called and emailed the Problem Solvers about a new mother deer who had been seen for weeks with a trap stuck to her lip.

Char Dack, who shared the photo with Problem Solvers, says, "It was heartbreaking...she was trying to eat grass, but how effective she was being with it, I don't know." They also worried that the new mother wouldn't be able to forage for food for the baby and clean her.   

The Problem Solvers drove to Oregon Fish and Wildlife's Ochoco District office in Prineville to learn about the extent of the issue, and how residents can help. Acting Assistant Wildlife Biologist Mikayla Bivona told the Problem Solvers, "Here in Central Oregon, unfortunately, this is a really consistent issue that we see."

Bivona says deer get stuck in everything, from soccer nets, string lights, sleeping hammocks, strings, swings, and much more. The issue usually gets worse in the winter when deer's antlers grow.

One photo below even shows a deer with their head completely caught in a candy jar from Halloween.

In 2024, the Bend and Prineville ODFW offices, which encompass most of Central Oregon, responded to nearly 40 calls related to deer getting entangled or stuck.  

Like the situation in Redmond, finding and catching the deer can be extremely tough. ODFW biologists have many other job duties and can sometimes be an hour away from wherever the call came from. "Finding the animal can be really difficult, and then we have to dart it," Bivona said.  

But the Problem Solvers did find ways to help. Biovona says the main step residents can take is to make sure your backyard is clean, especially of any seasonal items that do not need to be there: "A lot of it is really just looking at your yard from a deer's perspective and saying like, hey, what are the potential hazards."

ODFW isn't exactly sure why the issue is especially severe here in the High Desert, but points to the high population of "town deer" who live in neighborhoods and other high-density areas.

The Problem Solvers learned late Thursday that ODFW, after already responding several times over the past month, was able to locate and remove the trap stuck on the mother doe.

Neighbors tell the Problem Solvers that after a month of agony, the deer came out from someone's deck to ask for help. She was also treated for maggots and other infections.

The mother doe's situation highlights just how important it is to take a few minutes to clear your yard of unnecessary items and traps.