Buck in the water

[rgranger]

I went sailing yesterday on Smith Mountain Lake Virginia. As I approached an island a large Buck jumped in the water, swam right next to my boat and then off to a shoreline. It swam about 200 yards total. I had no idea deer could swim that well. You could see its head and rack sticking out of the water and that was all. I tried to get a photo on my phone but all you can make out is a ripple in the water. I found a stock photo of the island on line and marked the deers trail in red.

Anyone else ever see something like this?

 

[Snotter]

Deer have been seen swimming the 2 mile width of the TN river where I sail. This summer I saw a deer swim across the marina harbor in heavy boat traffic.

 

[Billbeard]

Deer swim long distances and do well as long as do-gooders don’t get to close or try to help because then they stress and try to get away swimming farther and faster then they can handle.
On the Long Island sound the deer regularly are seen swimming from Long Island to Gardeners Island.

 

[shemandr]

We see them swimming from point to point in the bays. Last one I saw wasn't doing too good. I couldn't do anything for him of course, or even signal the ferry to alert them, since I was solo and struggling against wind, waves and current myself.
A friend just saw one come out of the water on a narrow point which extends as a sand bar. The deer walked across the dry part and re enterred the water and stuck out across Cutchgue Harbor. They are known to be pretty good swimmers.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Deer and bears swim out to the islands on our lake. Moose will swim faster than you can paddle a canoe and you don't want to be around an angry bull moose in the water. They swim out and back to and from Isle Royale, about 12 miles offshore in Lake Superior.

 

[Rob19574]

I taught swimming lessons years back. In my training to learn how to teach, I learned that people are among the very few (perhaps the only) animals that are not born with the ability to swim (that kept me busy for my HS summers). You can basically throw any animal into the water and it will swim.

 

[RichH]

The hair on deer and moose is 'hollow' making for very good 'floatation'. Deer are excellent swimmers and can easily swim for 'miles'.

 

[rgranger]

It was cool to see. Wish I could have posted a decent pic. The deer have gotten so tame. This buck swam in the direction of our boat and passed within just a few feet of our bow. I had to stall the boat so I would not get too close.

Hope you all get one more sail in before "winterization".

a bientot

r

 

[Freedom77]

During the 60's in another life I used to surf. California has four seasons, fire, flood, earthquake and drought. There was huge fire in hills above Malibu. I was sitting on my board waiting for the perfect Gnarly wave when a deer swam past me going outbound for safety. Hope the sharks didn't get him/her. Fair Winds and Full Sails...

 

[Andy1237]

I think it was Blitzen getting in shape for this years Christmas flight!

 

[okawbow]

2007 "Great Race" at Carlyle Lake IL

This buck delayed the start of the great Race in October 2007.

 

[jibes138]

Most animals swim fine because they float in the same position that they walk around in. This is because most are four legged creatures. So to swim they just "walk" and the motion of their legs propels them. Watch a dog swim and it is just like running around. For people to swim they have to get into an unnatural position as you won't go too fast inan upright orientation. Body fat and muscle have a lot to do with staying afloat. Since the human body is about 90 percent water (so they say) we are close to neutral bouyancy, the density of the rest of the stuff determines floatation ability. Most of us are pretty dense it appears.

 

[mark_swart]

I dont' have a deer story but I grew up on SML and recognize exactly where that pic was taken! My parents still sail there and I try to get back at least once a year -- if you ever see a big yellow Ericson 37 out there, that's my pop!

 

[dscribner]

I saw a buck in an out house once. I tossed in a 20 to make it worth climbing in.

 

[COOL]

I don't have a deer story either,
but I've thrown a lot of bucks into
a hole in the water.

 

[Ray Bowles]

What's sad is when the deer can out swim my sailboat! And that's a true story.
Ray

 

[dscribner]

Don't feel bad. They make it around the world to billions of homes in one night. Or are you a NON-BELIEVER?????? I wonder if then get groped by TSA.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Living in Minnesota deer in the water aren't an issue-it's the deer on the roads I have to watch out for. We sail in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and have seen bear swimming between the islands but never a deer.

 

[rgranger]

Minnesota does not have a monopoly on deer in the road

In addition to worrying about hitting a deer, you have to worry about being hit by a deer. I got hit broadside last month while waiting to make a left turn. Buck in rut I'm guessing. Put a big dent in the driver side door.

 

[Ross]

Minnesota does not have a monopoly on deer in the road

In addition to worrying about hitting a deer, you have to worry about being hit by a deer. I got hit broadside last month while waiting to make a left turn. Buck in rut I'm guessing. Put a big dent in the driver side door.

He liked you. Be glad to door was closed. lol