When a deer got stuck in a fence, this woman knew just what to do. ANIMALKIND
Arby's announced they will sell elk sandwiches in select locations this year. The fast food chain is also rolling out venison sandwiches nationwide after success in 2016. USA TODAY
A crew from the Delray Beach Fire Department was checking out some damaged structures on Monday. When they bumped into an exhausted Key Deer! Buzz60
While in the same family, deer and elk are very different. USA TODAY
Some animals live on tiny islands in Irma's path, and they can't evacuate. Video provided by Newsy Newslook
This dog was so concerned about the baby deer that he jumped in the water to rescue it, and the deer lived. Humankind
Some daring deer approached a group of hunters in central Indiana and one was so unafraid that it licked the barrel of a shotgun and allowed one of the men to stroke its neck. (May 9) AP
This family was taken by surprise when the deer crashed through their front door. It was taken to a shelter, but did not survive. USA TODAY
Four rare baby deer were recently born at the Bronx Zoo in New York. (April 21) AP
A zoo in Illinois welcomed a male reindeer fawn. AP
A male deer in Southern England is caught on video putting his antlers to good use. Buzz60
Authorities say an American Eagle flight struck a deer while taking off from the Charlotte, North Carolina, international airport, forcing it to turn around and abort a flight to Gulfport, Mississippi. (Feb. 15) AP
Two whitetail bucks were found dead with their antlers still attached after what looked like a long and relentless battle. USA TODAY NETWORK
A deer was on the loose inside a Georgia area car dealership. After plenty of slipping and sliding, the deer made it out safely. USA TODAY NETWORK
A Russian woman says she found the injured deer in the forest and spent months nursing it back to health with baby formula. The deer is now part of her family. (Nov. 27) AP
A Georgia Lexus dealership got an unexpected customer on Monday when a deer decides to take a look at the merchandise. Josh King has the story (@abridgetoland). Buzz60
A Wisconsin sheriff's deputy responded to a man who said he had a dead deer in his trunk. But when he pulled it out, the deer got up and ran away. (Nov. 22) AP
You have just a split second to react when you spot a deer that's about to jump in front of your car. Knowing what to do could minimize damage to your car, or even save you and your family from serious injury. USA TODAY
A cross-country runner finished an NCAA regional race after he was knocked off his feet by a deer at DeSales University in Pennsylvania. AP
Earl Stubblefield found a giant buck that will likely become the Mississippi record for typical archery. WIBBITZ
Dashcam video from the Kenton County Police Department in Kentucky shows a deer running out in front of a police car, flying through the air after it is hit, and then running off. (Dec. 2) AP
A Southern Indiana family came home to find a broken window and loud noises coming from the master bedroom. They were even more surprised when it turned out to be a deer that just wanted to jump on the bed. Buzz60
After being rescued by local authorities, a young deer made a surprise return as media were interviewing one of his rescuers. The deer has since been transported to a nearby animal sanctuary, according to officials. (Oct. 21) AP
A classroom of sixth graders was shocked when a deer crashed through their window and knocked over their teacher. The deer was caught on school surveillance video. VPC
A New Orleans photographer captured a one-in-a-million shot when a deer photobombs a newborn photo shoot in a Louisiana state park. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) has the incredible photographs. Buzz60
Surveillance cameras captured a deer crashing through a window and running down the hallways of a hotel in York, Nebraska. (Sept. 14) AP
A group of highway department workers rescued a deer trapped underneath a fence. After the deer was freed, it made several attempts to jump the fence before sprinting off. VPC
Woman deadlifts deer stuck in fence
Oh deer! Arby's to add elk and deer sandwiches to menu
Firefighters give water to thirsty deer that survived Hurricane Irma
Oh deer, we are related!
For Florida's endangered wildlife, hurricanes come with the territory
Dog saves baby deer drowning in harbor
Deer cozies up to hunter, licks gun muzzle
Deer crashes into family's home just in time for dinner
It's Friday: Time for baby deer
Raw: Ill. zoo welcomes male reindeer fawn
Watch: A deer outsmarts a bird feeder
Oh deer! Plane hits animal, forces emergency landing
Fight to the death: Bucks die after entangling antlers
Oh, Deer! Car dealership gets unexpected visitor
Injured baby deer now beloved family pet
Deer sneaks into a Lexus car dealership, dashes away from commitment
Man Puts Live Deer in Truck Thinking it's Dead
What to do if you're about to hit a deer with your car
Deer tackles runner during cross-country race
Mississippi buck sets state record for antlers
Raw: Deer Struck By Police Car, Runs Off
Deer breaks into home and jumps on the bed
Rescued Deer Returns to Make a Surprise Visit
Deer interrupts class by crashing through school window
Deer photobombs newborn's forest photo shoot
Confused Deer Jumps Through Hotel Window
Oh deer! Highway workers free doe trapped in fence
DES MOINES — Catherine Veerhusen and her husband were driving northbound along the 80th Street SW bridge over U.S. Highway 30 in Cedar Rapids on Sunday when they spotted a herd of deer in front of them.
They had hoped the herd would somehow stay away from oncoming traffic while also not jumping over the bridge's west side.
But then the Atkins couple witnessed the lone buck sprint across to the opposite side of the bridge and vault over the bridge's sidewall to an estimated "20- to 30-foot" drop. The three does immediately followed — all leaping to their deaths.
Veerhusen was horrified.
"I've never seen anything like this," she told the Des Moines Register on Tuesday. "No words, no words."
When Ron Lane, a conservation officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in Linn County, left the scene Tuesday afternoon, the three does remained but the buck was nowhere to be found.
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He believes the herd was panicked and not familiar with the area.
"The bridge there is brand new," Lane said. "I'm guessing the deer aren't used to that, with all of the construction going on."
Additionally, Iowa is in the midst of its second shotgun deer season, which Lane thinks could be another contributor the herd's disorientation, with hunters pushing them back.
"It sounds like with they were just trying to run across and didn't know where to go," Lane said.
Like Lane, Veerhusen also referred to the deer as "panicked." Riding in the passenger's seat of her vehicle, she explained what she saw at around 3:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon:
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"We see these deer cross the ramp in front of us and we're like, 'OK, don't go over the bridge,'" Veerhusen explained. "They went straight for the bridge. And we slowly
came up to them, keeping our distance, and we saw that this car was flying up (the road). We got in front of that car to slow them down. I don't think they saw these deer."
The Veerhusens slowed down Denny Benyshek, 50, of Fairfax. He told the Register he first saw the deer from about 200 yards out.
Warning: Some viewers might find this video disturbing.
Footage was captured by two motorists who were left shocked at what they witnessed. Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. Aaron Young / The Register
"We were driving slow by them," Benyshek said as he and the Veerhusens got closer. "The buck was leading the whole time — then he just bolts straight east. The three doe followed him over."
He added that the event lasted just 15 seconds.
"It was pretty quick. I didn't even get to my phone in time. I was more busy watching them," Benyshek said, adding that he's a deer hunter. "I seen this rack and thought, 'That's a nice buck.'"
Benyshek and Veerhusen exchanged contact information, photos and video footage. Shortly after, Veerhusen posted her photos and video on her personal Facebook page.
The 2-second clip has accumulated 20 million views, and thousands of shares.
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She had to shut her account's notifications off due to the number of interactions the post generated.
"It has just taken off like crazy," Veerhusen said.
Benyshek, who's tagged in the post, agrees. He even went back out to the site around 5:45 p.m. Sunday and noticed the buck was missing.
"I told my wife today this is getting crazy. ... I had to put my phone down," he said.
Looking back, though, Veerhusen wishes she'd called the local sheriff's department. She and her husband stayed for "probably a good 10 to 15 minutes" afterward.
"I stood there — I was just in shock," Veerhusen said. " ... I've never seen them spooked like that."
Follow Aaron Young on Twitter: @AaYoung15