Seeing a Deer Swim Takes Michigan Couple by Surprise

In a remarkable sight, a retired couple in Mackinaw City, Michigan, witnessed a deer taking on the waves of the Straits of Mackinac. Angie and Dave Morthland were enjoying their afternoon last Thursday when the unexpected sight of a swimming deer caught their attention.

“I tapped Dave, and said: ‘What the heck is that?’ ” recalls Angie, describing the initial confusion as they struggled to identify the unusual swimmer. Grabbing their camera and binoculars, they confirmed it was indeed a deer, causing a stir in their quiet afternoon.

This aquatic adventure took the deer close to two to three miles from Fort Michilimackinac toward McGulpin Point. The Morthlands observed this unusual spectacle for over an hour, documenting their experience through photos. Their evidence caused quite a buzz on social media as their friends shared the astonishing sight.

“Every time it came toward shore, it would get spooked and swim back out into the straits,” Dave explained. They followed the deer’s journey until it swam out of sight, making it a memorable day for them.

This sighting, while surprising, is not entirely unique. Conservation groups and experts note other instances of deer swimming. These nimble creatures leverage their strong leg muscles and hooves to swim, often doing so to escape threats or find food.

The National Deer Association has documented cases of deer swimming up to 2.4 miles, with some unverified reports of swims stretching as long as 8 to 10 miles. As they point out, “We’ve all seen at least one of numerous amateur video clips floating around the internet in which a boater or fisherman captures a deer doggy-paddling.”

The Straits of Mackinac themselves have witnessed another deer swimming near McGulpin Point, as reported by the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch, a non-profit organization studying migratory habits of raptors and waterfowl. This sighting involved a young buck seemingly heading towards St. Helena Island before it turned back, deeming the swim unlikely to be survivable.

According to the World of Deer website, deer are excellent swimmers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 15 mph in the water. They often cross lakes and rivers in search of food, showcasing their versatility and strength.

For the Morthlands, however, this was a novel experience, one that defied their perception of deer behavior. It was a true testament to the unexpected surprises that nature continues to offer!

Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!