Authorities in North Carolina caution about increasing incidents of dangerous deer attacks in the state

Authorities in North Carolina are sounding the alarm as incidents of deer attacking humans and pets increase across the state. On December 1, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) issued a warning highlighting this troubling trend in 2025.

The NCWRC reported multiple attacks across six counties: Rockingham, Randolph, Wilkes, Onslow, Iredell, and Cherokee. One severe case occurred on November 6, when a 70-year-old individual was hospitalized after being gored by a male deer near her mailbox.

Experts note that many of these aggressive encounters involve deer that have been fed or raised illegally by people. April Boggs Pope, a deer biologist, explained, "Deer that lose their natural fear of humans can behave unpredictably. Males that appear friendly can become highly aggressive during mating season, and deer raised as pets may pose serious risks when hormones rise."

The NCWRC documented several 2025 incidents where deer partially accustomed to human presence attacked people. One notable case on October 21 involved a buck that had been illegally raised, leaving a woman with punctures, scrapes, and bruises. In another incident, a deer fed by residents in a neighborhood fatally attacked a pet dog.

North Carolina law prohibits owning most native wildlife, including deer, except under special wildlife captivity licenses for scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes. While feeding wild deer is legal in most areas, NCWRC strongly advises against hand-feeding, warning of the dangers it poses to both humans and the animals themselves.

Colleen Olfenbuttel, a game mammals supervisor, emphasized the risks: "Trying to domesticate wild deer can harm both people and the animals. Artificial feeding can lead to malnutrition and health issues for the deer, and aggressive behavior toward humans often results in the animal being euthanized."

To reduce the risk of attacks, the NCWRC recommends contacting the N.C. Wildlife Helpline for guidance on handling illegally raised deer or managing human-deer conflicts safely.

Author: Connor Blake