Pagosa Springs, Colorado – A dramatic wildlife rescue unfolded south of Pagosa Springs when two male deer became locked together by their antlers during the rut, a time when bucks fiercely compete for mates.

In this rare and dangerous scenario, one buck had a massive amount of wire tangled in its antlers, preventing the animals from separating. The struggle proved fatal for one deer, which succumbed to the stress and injuries from the entanglement.

District Wildlife Manager Cody Rarick arrived to find the second buck still alive. “There was a lot of wire to cut through to free the living buck,” Rarick said. Methodically, he removed the entangling wire, eventually setting the surviving buck free.

Authorities thanked the members of the public who reported the situation, allowing Rarick to intervene in time to save one animal. They also reminded residents to remove or secure items like wire fencing, garden tools, tires, holiday lights, nets, and hammocks that curious deer might get tangled in.

While both bucks could not be saved, the rescue ensured that at least one deer survives to potentially see another rut in 2026. Rarick’s efforts were praised as an example of effective wildlife intervention.

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