Pass the buck, don't feed it.Β
The Arizona Game and Fish Department conveyed that message through social media on Tuesday after removing a young mule deer buck from a populated area on Fort Huachuca to a more remote one, according to its Twitter feed.Β
The buck had been seen more than once in recent months, drawn to humans by the possibility of food. In October, several tourists were seen feeding the animal on the streets of Tombstone. A photo attached to the post shows the buck being fed with a date stamped from last December.Β
"Wildlife accustomed to eating human-sourced food want nothing else and can become diseased as a result," an accompanying Facebook post from Arizona Game and Fish said. "In addition, the young buck's antlers can cause injury if it is startled."
Both posts warn that feeding this deer could be deemed a criminal nuisance, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $750 fine.Β
