Buck Swims the Eel But Afterwards Can’t Seem to Get His Land Legs

On January 2, this handsome buck swam the Eel River by the Benbow bridge.

By the time he gets to the far side, he looks a bit dazed. His back legs don’t seem to be doing what he wants and he falls down. Those land legs are a bit hard to find after this antlered mariner’s trip in the slightly swollen Eel River.

He clumsily bumbles around before finally reaching the treeline. We hope his land legs came back soon after.

[Video provided by local resident.]

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25 Comments
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Rudy
Guest
Rudy
5 years ago

He’s fine. Adrenaline and cold water don’t mix well! Columbian Black-tailed Deer. We’re lucky to live here!

Country bumpkin
Guest
Country bumpkin
5 years ago
Reply to  Rudy

A Columbian blacktail? Probably just crossing the river to do the jobs that local Columbia blacktail won’t do

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago

And I thought I was a prick.

SourTangant
Guest
SourTangant
5 years ago

He’s like “hey I crossed here a few weeks ago & barely got wet”

Dot
Guest
Dot
5 years ago

Poor deer, probably half frozen!

Oh deer
Guest
Oh deer
5 years ago

Looks like me walking on rocks with sopping wet shoes, they just lose their traction!
Great video thank you!!!!

KH
Guest
KH
5 years ago

I saw a 4 point buck swimming the Mattole several weeks ago. It was magical, and then I saw the dogs. I hope he got away!!

Mr. Bear
Guest
Mr. Bear
5 years ago
Reply to  KH

Did you get a shot off at the dogs?

anon forrest
Guest
anon forrest
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

My question, too.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Bear

My question also.

Joe
Guest
Joe
5 years ago

Way cool video! Thank you.

Brrrr
Guest
Brrrr
5 years ago

Poor baby. But, beautiful picture.

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

He made it up out water and up the bank better than I could.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago

Me, too. Looks like he’s fine. Pretty steep there and I think he was still very panicked; just wanted to get away from the river.

Theresa
Guest
Theresa
5 years ago

Thanks Local Resident for sharing the video. Amazing!

Nature Lover
Guest
Nature Lover
5 years ago

Cold water and slippery bank. The legs are OK, just chilled and trying to navigate slippery rocks.

Mottolian
Guest
Mottolian
5 years ago
Reply to  Nature Lover

Yeah, dare anyone to pull that off with the grace & stamina

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
5 years ago
Reply to  Mottolian

Zach Harrison did it not long ago.

BonnieBlue
Guest
BonnieBlue
5 years ago

Slip-slidin’ away on the slick rock. Glad the majestic buck made it across. Thanks for the video.

Geoffrey davis
Guest
Geoffrey davis
5 years ago

Most of the deer ive ever seen crossing the river “” for no good reason” were shortly followed by dogs.

Y Knot?
Guest
Y Knot?
5 years ago

Tofu, golden Pitbull statues, and trucks jackknifed turning around, and some dorks with a clear cut of The Devil’s Lettuce wearing hoodies and bill hats –

Can’t compare to this coolness…

Someone said this buck ran off Julia Butterfly and disrupted the filming of The Majestic…

Cool stuff for sure.

Chuck
Guest
Chuck
5 years ago

Gimme a break – climbing up slippery rock a deer is gonna slip a few times – didn’t even let it slow him down. Observe nature much?

Big Bang
Guest
5 years ago

I like big bucks, and I cannot lie…

ESFOAD
Guest
ESFOAD
5 years ago

That’s the Mel Coombs US101 Bridge above him. Quite a steep Cliff face.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  ESFOAD

I thought it was “Mal”. Sometimes I’m wrong. Yeah, really, watch for it!