In Durango, Colorado, a large buck found himself in a terrifying battle for survival when his antlers became entangled in a soccer net. What began as curiosity or a simple misstep quickly spiraled into a desperate struggle. Each attempt to free himself only made the net tighten, leaving him increasingly exhausted and panicked.
Neighbors spotted the buck’s plight and wanted to help, but wisely chose not to intervene. Instead, they called Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), knowing that professional rescuers had the right training to handle such a dangerous and delicate situation.
“We regularly get these kinds of reports from the public, especially this time of year,” explained John Livingston, CPW’s public information officer. “A wild animal in distress can behave more aggressively, so it’s important people don’t try to free it themselves.”
The Rescue Mission
District wildlife manager Luke Clancy and assistant area wildlife manager Steve McClung arrived quickly. They found the buck still thrashing in the net, his powerful antlers twisted tightly in the nylon threads. Before they could step in, they first had to ensure the animal’s safety — and their own.
The team carefully sedated the buck, calming his frantic movements and preventing further injury. With steady precision, they began cutting away the tangled netting. Strand by strand, the web of nylon loosened until the antlers were finally free.
No one knew for certain how the buck had gotten stuck, but experts had some theories. “Bucks can be especially prone to these situations this time of year,” Livingston said. “During the rut — or breeding season — they rub their antlers on objects to mark territory and signal their presence. He may have been chasing does, sparring with other bucks, or just curious when he ran into the soccer net.”
Once freed, the team administered a reversal drug to wake the buck. Slowly, he rose to his feet, shook his head as if clearing the confusion, and regained his balance. With the soccer goal moved aside, the majestic animal finally bounded back into the wild.
Lessons From the Rescue
Though this buck’s story ended happily, it highlights an all-too-common danger. Wildlife encounters with human-made objects often end in tragedy, especially when the hazards go unnoticed in backyards, parks, or sports fields.
Livingston urged residents to be proactive: “We ask that people continually assess their properties for tangle hazards. Remove hammocks when they’re not in use, hang holiday lights high enough to be out of reach, and store sporting equipment properly. Even simple items can pose a real threat.”
Such small steps can make a life-saving difference. From tangled antlers and wings to trapped paws and necks, animals are constantly at risk when human items are left out. Awareness and prevention are powerful tools in keeping wildlife safe.
Living Alongside Wildlife Responsibly
Colorado’s natural landscapes are home to thriving deer and elk populations, and encounters with wildlife are part of daily life. For residents, that means a responsibility to coexist respectfully.
“Here in southwest Colorado, we live in excellent wildlife habitat,” Livingston explained. “It’s up to all of us to be good neighbors to wildlife. That includes not feeding them, not trying to tame them, and letting them live their natural, wild lives.”
For the buck who found himself trapped in the soccer net, the outcome could have been fatal without human compassion and quick professional action. Thanks to the neighbors who made the right call and the skilled CPW rescuers who stepped in, he is now back where he belongs — free, strong, and wild.
His ordeal is a powerful reminder: when people take responsibility for their surroundings and act with care, both humans and animals benefit.
