This holiday season, festive decorations may be at risk of being ripped down by an surprising culprit.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has warned residents of the state that they are receiving large numbers of calls from people who have had deer getting their antlers tangled up in their Christmas decorations and other yard equipment.

While deer are usually rather clumsy creatures, they become much more erratic and aggression-prone at this time of year, as they are frantically searching for a mate.

“Our wildlife officers respond to calls every year of deer stuck in various netting and holiday decorations,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta said in a statement.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns residents that male deer may find themselves getting tangled up in swing sets, sports netting, hosepipes, Christmas lights and even bicycles during the rut season.

There are two main types of deer native to Colorado: mule deer and white-tailed deer. The rut of both species typically peaks in mid to late November and can extend into late December in some areas.

During the rut, bucks are highly active and display behaviors aimed at attracting does and establishing dominance over other males. This can include traveling extensively, often during daylight, and also engaging in sparring or even full-blown fights to establish dominance and breeding rights.

This activity is how the male deer end up getting tangled up in things like Christmas lights.

“In some cases, these hazards prevent the deer from being able to eat and breathe. Additionally, this causes high levels of stress on the animal and can lead to fatality,” Archuleta said.

The public is advised to ensure holiday decorations and lights are firmly attached to solid structures, and hung at least eight feet from the ground. Hanging the lights on trees or bushes is discouraged, as the deer often rub their antlers against plants or tree trunks to sharpen them during the rut.

If you encounter a deer that has become tangled or trapped, you should not attempt to free it yourself, as the deer are often increasingly aggressive at this time of year.

“When deer do become entangled, it is important for the public to call their closest CPW office quickly with location information,” Archuleta said.

“People should never try to free deer of these hazards themselves because of the serious risk of injury that can be caused by antlers and hooves.”

Additionally, deer can carry diseases such as chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and acidosis. This is why it is illegal to feed wild deer in Colorado.

“Attracting deer can concentrate them in small spaces, making disease easier to spread, attracting predators, and causing them to lose their natural fear of people,” the CPW warn on their website.

During the rut, deer may be seen on the roads more frequently, so drivers are also advised to keep an eye out.

“Drivers are also reminded to slow down and be on the lookout for deer on highways. Not only are bucks in pursuit of a mate, but animals are also migrating to winter range and will be more present crossing roadways both on highways and arterial roadways,” the CPW said in the statement.

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CLEAR CREEK, Colo. (KKTV) – The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office said they spotted a suspicious vehicle with a fake license plate and covered VIN parked in a dirt lot in Silver Plume on Monday.

After eventually getting the VIN, deputies said they identified the owner of the car, 40-year-old Brian Cope, who had a warrant from Summit County for failure to comply and was reported to have violent tendencies.

Deputies said they then saw him walking down a mountain trail towards them. Cope then reportedly placed an item behind a rock before being spoken to by deputies. Cope was then arrested on the Summit County warrant without further issues.

Deputies then checked behind the rock, finding a handgun. Cope’s vehicle was to be towed due to the fake plates, so deputies said they also did an inventory check of the vehicle.

Inside the car, deputies said they found a loaded, short-barreled rifle without a serial number, six high-capacity magazines, multiple boxes of ammunition, a Kevlar tactical vest with metal plates, a tactical helmet, a police scanner, a federal law enforcement replica badge, burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.

After the search of Cope’s car, deputies said he is also facing charges of possession of a weapon by a previous offender, impersonating a peace officer, two counts of a violation of a protection order, unlawful conduct involving an unserialized firearm, prohibited large capacity magazine, possession of burglary tools and three counts of drug paraphernalia. The 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office is scheduled to determine the final charges.

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