You run to the grocery store, the post office, or Target and see someone you think you know. Maybe from school or an old job. Did you meet them at a party? There is a dim flicker in your mind, but the landscape of recognition is too dark.
If I had a dime for every time this happened to me, I’d be writing this blog from a tropical island or a mountain top with a breath-taking view. I’ve given hundreds of presentations over my career and talked to many more people. I have a pretty good memory but single interactions with random folks don’t stick.
Trail cameras sometimes provide the same experience. In a sea of deer photos, do any standout? What if they are years apart? Does that flame ignite in your memory?
It did for one reader of the blog. We’ll call him George. He sent us an email asking, “could this be the same buck?”
Back in 2013, this buck showed up in Somewhere, PA on George’s trail camera.
He’s got a unique set of antlers and an injury to his left front leg. No need to tag this deer. He stands out in a crowd. Lefty showed up on George’s camera for the next 3 years.
He even got a video!
After 2016, Lefty disappeared. Nothing surprising there. That is until George checked his trail camera in early December 2024.
After almost 10 years, George’s memory sparked. Did he run into his buck before? Is it possible? George dug up the old photos and video and shared them with us. The area is described as steep and rocky with limited access. It’s obvious Lefty was not a yearling the first time his picture was snapped. Let’s be conservative and call him 2.5 years old in 2013. That would make him 13.5 years old in 2024.
Duane sprang into action and calculated his odds of survival. Adult deer, if they can survive the hunting season have a 90% probability of living to the next hunting season. So a deer that is not hunted might have a 20% chance of living to 14 years old. Unusual for sure but certainly not impossible.
We have numerous examples of research deer living into their teens. Of course, those are females. But there is no reason bucks can’t live that long. He might be one of the lucky few living in the tail end of the curve.
–Jeannine Fleegle
Wildlife Biologist
PA Game Commission
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