Two male deer locked horns on a residential road in a southwest Calgary community on Saturday and it was caught on video. The Castallino family were out on their driveway along Bridle Estates Road S.W. midday Saturday when they witnessed two adult male deer in a tussle. A better term for the duel is “rutting,” which is a common competition between two male deer during the fall and into the winter season. “Deer rut in Alberta is primarily during November, though the pre-rut starts in late October and the post-rut extends into early December,” said the office of the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in an emailed statement. Neighbours to the Castallinos say about a dozen deer frequent the area close to Stoney Trail. Some say they are hesitant to walk their dogs, to avoid encounters with the battling bucks. The province says it’s best to leave the deer alone. Feeding deer is also to be avoided. “We advise to not let your dog bark at or antagonize the deer,” the province said. “This can further stress the deer and lead to aggressive, self-defensive behaviours.” No animals were injured and no property was damaged in the images and video, which have been shared widely online.
