Colorado Parks and Wildlife is encouraging Teller County residents to deck the halls, not wildlife, with Christmas tree lights and decorations this holiday season.

That’s because wildlife, particularly deer, are drawn to and may become trapped or entangled in brightly-colored lights and dazzling decorations. Once entangled, the animal may be unable to free itself, and may become disoriented and stressed. This can lead to the animal’s inability to eat and drink, and result in cuts, broken bones, breathing restriction and even death.

Although many species are susceptible to entanglement, deer are chiefly affected, according to Joey Livingston, statewide public information officer. Because deer often dwell in urban areas, their large antlers can easily get caught in a variety of objects.

“This can happen in any area with a large overlap of humans and wildlife,” he said.

Livingston said CPW receives calls about wildlife entanglement all year long. The calls peak in late fall/early winter when deer sport their antlers and can get tangled in hammocks, volleyball nets and tomato cages that have been left outside, and Halloween and Christmas decorations that are being are set up.

“The worst cases of animals getting caught in something I can think of are always deer getting caught in short chain link fences or rod iron fence spikes when trying to jump them,” Livingston said.

CPW encourages residents to contact their office so they can assess the situation and determine if human intervention is warranted. Once on the scene, officers may need to subdue the animal with a stun device to safely remove the lights or decorations. In some situations, CPW may not respond if the animal can move around and is able to eat.

“If the item is preventing the animal from eating (wrapped around the mouth), or the animal gets stuck and cannot move, CPW will come out to free the animal,” Livingston said. “We will free it without sedation, if possible, but will sedate the animal, if necessary.”

Teller County residents are sharing their concern for animals’ welfare and are offering advice on how to prevent future incidents. In a Nov. 10 email, resident Viola Mauldin shared a photo of a deer sporting a string of lights wrapped around its left antler. She believes people don’t think twice about animals until they see them on the road or near their home.

“People need a gentle reminder when putting up decorations to think about how it may affect the wild animals,” Mauldin said. “I would like to remind people to think of animals when putting decorations, or anything, around their house. Deer are year-round issues, not just holiday decoration season. They get tangled in strap lines and their heads stuck in jars.”

Similarly, resident Candace Gibson on Nov. 4 posted a Facebook photo of a buck sporting what appeared to be a string of lights tangled in its antlers.

“I tried taking it off… but it was so intertwined that there was no way without cutting it off. He finally just walked off,” Gibson wrote.

Responding to Gibson’s post, resident Marianne Ward Haas wrote, “My hubby tried to help him, but the buck was terrified, running through the trees to get it (lights) off his eyes.”

CPW encourages residents to refrain from assisting wildlife, especially if the animal is stressed or if during mating season. In these circumstances, the deer can be aggressive, and their antlers and hooves pose a serious risk to humans.

The good news is that CPW rarely puts down a tangled animal and will do so only if the animal would suffer and die if released.

“Most commonly, the animal can still move around and eat so we leave it be,” Livingston said. “Deer antlers fall off every spring so it will rarely be a long-term issue.”

Entanglement has been a problem for a long time, and that is unlikely to change, Livingston said. He encourages residents to remove items not in use in which animals can become entangled. For example, hang lights and decorations 6-8 feet above the ground. Don’t wrap them around trees or drape them over bushes or low-hanging branches where deer can walk through them.

Tightly secure lights and decorations to structures, and remove hammocks, soccer nets and swings. If possible, use warm color (amber, red) and low-intensity lights that are less disruptive than bright white or blue LEDs.

No doubt people enjoy Christmas lights and decorations because they evoke childhood memories, reduce stress and enhance mood. However, by exercising common sense advice, residents can prevent further injury to wildlife and themselves.

“Wildlife behavior is predictable, so humans are chiefly responsible for removing objects that could become entangled with wildlife,” Livingston said. “CPW issues a warning every fall calling for people to remove objects from their yards that could cause an issue.”

CPW encourages residents to report wildlife entanglements to their local wildlife office. To learn more visit https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ContactUs.aspx.