We combined forces. Our first trapping night was to be shared between the two crews. Many of us were green. Out of a dozen, maybe two or three had experience working with deer. We would perform under the supervision of our section leaders. Hopefully, their presence would provide guidance and not intimidation. We were nervous but excited to trap deer for the first time!
From the southern crew’s headquarters, we left around mid-afternoon. The deer were supposed to arrive in the field sometime after five o’clock. We wanted to be sure that we were ready and in position before they arrived. High on an old scissor lift, our crew leaders and a tackler occupied a makeshift blind that was provided by the landowner. They would have a vantage point over the field. When the deer arrived under the net, they would send a signal to the remote release. Thus, the net would fall, providing the opportunity for us to capture the them. Hopefully, we would get a text message prior to the drop. After all, the rest of us were in three vehicles about a hundred yards from the field. A truck in front of us contained four tacklers and our supervisors were in the truck behind us. Trees and brush obscured the field and we wouldn’t have a clue without notification.
My role was to administer the drugs. We use a drug to sedate the deer, making the event less stressful on us and the animal. When we are finished working with an individual, another drug is administered to reverse the sedation effects. I shared this task with a member from the other crew. Two others functioned as data recorders. They would also attach the ear tags and obtain DNA samples. The four of us shared a truck and we used this opportunity to plan. To my partner’s delight, we decided that I would be the first to administer drugs. I would sedate the deer and he would give the reversal. We went over who was carrying what equipment and talked about the basic chain of events. We cautioned each other on things to look out for. We went over these plans multiple times. It may sound silly but in high stress situations, breaking down a large job into smaller, more easily managed tasks reduces anxiety and ensures success.
My heart pounded and my hands began to shake when we received our first updates. Not much time passed before the deer began entering the field. The vibration from my phone made me jump. I was never cold on that January night. Each of us were nervous yet excited to work with the deer for the first time. We only had a vague idea on what to expect. We did our best to keep calm. I tried to control my breath and clear my mind. It helped a little. Another update was sent, “four deer were feeding under the net and another was approaching — be prepared!” We had no idea about the lag time between when the texts were sent and received. Without further warning, a light descended down the ladder of the blind. It was go time!
Synchronously, the brake lights of the first truck shined while I turned the key. I dropped the transmission into drive and gave it some gas. I followed the lead truck fairly close. The windshield was fogged and visibility was poor. Even in four-wheel drive, we slipped down the dirt road full of icy ruts. Both trucks made a right into the field and drove towards the net as close as we would dare. In my headlights, the tacklers sprinted toward the deer. I shut down my vehicle and turned off the lights.
Quickly as possible, I grabbed the drug kit and sprinted after the tacklers with my team beside me. Although the tacklers did a great job of controlling their animals, the landscape felt like chaos. I never heard a deer make the sounds that I was hearing. So much was going on. My heart pounded and my hands shook from nerves and exertion. Despite the excitement, I focused on my job and calmed my heart and mind. We assessed the situation and began with the most troublesome deer. I had to determine if the animal was a fawn or an adult and administer a correct dose of sedative. A small buck was the first. He was lively and hard to control. Drawing and injecting the sedative was not difficult. In the heat of the moment, I worked hastily to sedate the deer as quickly as possible. I was calm yet I worked quiet and fast. The data collector had a hard time keeping up with me. I made sure to communicate with the tacklers when I was working with the animals. Tacklers are in their own zone and aren’t as cognizant of the surrounding. It’s just the deer and them. I placed my hand on each of their backs to let them know I was there. I softly said that a sharp was out before administering the sedative. Another pat on the back told them that I was finished. When the trapping concluded, my crew expressed how much they appreciated this communication. After all the deer were sedated, I had the chance to step back and see the situation with a more objective perspective. I began to play a secondary role and assisted the data collectors. The deer were processed as quickly as possible. All received ear tags, DNA samples were collected, and one doe received a collar. In the end, the reversal was administered by my partner and the tacklers stayed with their deer until it left.
The first trapping night went well. Our supervisors and crew leaders were happy with our performance. Their presence provided the guidance and assurance that we needed. Before disbanding, we stood in the darkness. The night was finally beginning to feel cold. They answered questions and provided constructive criticism. We did a good job!