Hey Remember That Time I was Attacked By a Buck?
As most of us know, due to the UCSC email sent out to students regarding the illegalities of stealing a baby fawn, it’s deer season, and with that comes a lot of issues for myself. Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love nature. Seeing all the new animals fill our campus with life is so beautiful and rewarding, but those deer, well they suck.
Baby deer, come on, what is not to love about them? They’re the real life Bambi, covered in spots, and wobbling on their weak little legs. While I do love these little creatures, I would never steal one, so when I almost got attacked by a Buck my perception of these seemingly “innocent” creatures quickly changed.
On a normal Wednesday my hippie named roommate Meadow had finished our homework and had decided to go on a night hike. Walking through the forest we caught up on each other’s lives and had a great time joking about our favorite show Parks and Recreation. Once we ended up at the OPERS field I became entranced in Meadow’s stories about her rebellious hippie mother, that I had forgotten where I was walking, until Meadow jolted and pulled me to a complete stop. Huffing and scooting in front of me, was a full-grown Buck, evidently defensive and afraid of what I might do to his baby. Running away screaming the Buck chased after me. (Note to readers: Since I have come to college I no longer am athletic and get my exercise by walking to the dining hall, however during this time I ran like I was at the finish line of a marathon.)
Mid run and holler, Meadow watched from a far shuddering at my idiocy while she yelled, “STOP RUNNING, YOU DUMB ASS!” Realizing that the Buck was chasing me because I was running, yet also realizing that if I came to a complete stop the Buck would run into me, I compromised with a slow motion crouching movement. The Buck then either became completely perplexed or thought I was seizing and lost interest in the attack. Heaving and shaking I sat on the floor, thinking terribly cruel thoughts about how I now despise deer.
Now reading this you may think I seem like an ignorant chick, who doesn’t realize that the deer are not in the wrong here. Looking back, it wasn’t the Buck’s fault, but rather my lack of paying attention to my environment. So now that baby fawns are popping up everywhere, I’m not telling you to kick them or anything, (I still love the animals), I’m just saying watch where you walk.
