“ODNR Warns: Outdoor Halloween Decorations Can Harm Local Deer”
As fall settles in, many Ohioans are decorating their homes for Halloween. However, wildlife experts are cautioning against one particular decoration that could be harmful to local deer: plastic Halloween pumpkin buckets.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife issued a warning on Facebook, stating that they receive annual reports of deer getting their heads stuck in these buckets.
“We’d appreciate it if you kept these pumpkins indoors, but if they are part of your outdoor spooky display, please snip the black ‘handles’ from them,” the Division of Wildlife advised in their post.
Wildlife officials explained that the plastic handles can easily become lodged around a deer’s head and ears, making it difficult for them to remove the buckets without assistance.
“An ounce of prevention goes a long way here,” the division emphasized. “There are very few ‘good’ options for tranquilizing, netting, or otherwise capturing a wild deer.”
To ensure the safety of local wildlife this Halloween, residents are encouraged to take precautions with their decorations.
