DEER INCIDENT

(KINGSVILLE, Sept. 11, 1996, 1996) - A Texas A&M University-Kingsville wildlife science undergraduate student from Bishop was released from a local hospital Tuesday after he sustained minor injuries following a brief encounter with a white-tailed deer. The deer, a buck, was one of 20 of varying ages and gender housed at a research facility at the University Farm, just North of campus.

Ruben Tamez, a work-study employee, apparently was attempting to clean a water bucket located in a pen which housed the animal. While Tamez had his back turned, the deer pinned Tamez against the fence, injuring him with an antler.

Tamez drove to the campus infirmary where he was stabilized, according to University Police Chief Bert Garcia. A preliminary examination revealed puncture wounds to the side, hip and upper right arm, as well as some bruises and contusions, Garcia said.

Tamez was later transported to Spohn Kleberg Memorial Hospital in Kingsville where he was treated and released around 6:30 p.m.

The buck was probably five or six years of age, according to Dr. Fred C. Bryant, director of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, who estimated his weight at around 150 pounds.

The incident, although not particularly common this time of year, is also not unheard of, according to Dr. Charles A. DeYoung Jr., dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, who is also an expert on white-tailed deer.

"At this time of year, male deer are approaching the rutting (breeding) season," DeYoung said. "You just have to watch them. Their behavior is just not predictable at this time of year."

Bryant agreed. "Normally (in captive facilities) you don't see this type of behavior until November. As breeding season approaches and testosterone levels rise, they (deer) tend to lose all sense about who is caring for them."

Antlers are normally sawed off the captive deer around the end of September in anticipation of the November rutting season, Bryant said. As a result of Tuesday's incident, however, antlers will be removed from all male deer next week as a precautionary safety measure.

-TAMUK-
-Mary McAdam