Three-Legged Doe Makes Kentucky Backyard Her Home

As a child, I remember my dad going deer hunting every weekend of deer season. It wasn't until a fawn walked into our yard that he rethought the thrill of the hunt.

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Once the fawn started coming around more, Dad got a block of salt to put in the yard. The young deer become so used to us that it would let us pet her. It was like were touching a magical creature and I could see her changing what my dad thought about hunting.

After a few months, she didn't return to the yard. We always wondered what happened to her and if she had possibly been hit by a car. My parents felt that if she had been hit, we would never see her again.

But, could she have survived?

Can a deer survive being hit by a car?

According to Hearts A Fire Deer Rescue,

Deer seldom survive a collision, but occasionally their injuries are treatable and the animal can be saved with your help. If the deer runs from the scene, you will probably never see it again. If it is injured and still on scene, you can visually inspect it for injuries.

If she had been injured and not killed could she have been able to survive with an injury that would impair her ability to walk and run?

Can a deer survive with three legs?

It would seem almost impossible o be able for a deer to live with only three legs. Trying to stay safe from predators and hunters seems like it would be so difficult.

But, they can not only survive but thrive in the right situation. The Bangor Daily News interviewed Nathan Bieber, the deer biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and he had this to say,

Deer can live fine on three legs in many cases. Losing a limb or multiple limbs certainly makes life more difficult, but deer are very resilient critters. If food and shelter are readily available, the deer is more likely to thrive.

Video of three-legged deer feed in Kentucky backyard

John had this to say about the incredible deer in his yard,

This is a video of a three-legged doe that has been living on our farm for the past four years. She is a wild deer and has pretty much stayed close to our house and not straying too far. I am very surprised she has survived this long with the coyotes around. Anyone who hunts the farm is restricted from harvesting her. Thought this would be a good watch for some.<br />-John Michael Fremow

Even with a missing leg, she moves, yes a little slower, but with grace and beauty.