I was fishing on Percy Priest Lake about a month ago and as I was running down the lake I noticed something unusual moving in the water up ahead of me. As I got closer I realized it was a deer. Right out in the middle of the lake. I looked around and guessed that it was at least 300-400 yds in every direction to get to the closest shore so I followed along and watched (not sure what I would have done if it needed help). A few minutes later it was safely on dry land and running off into the woods. The deer appeared to be swimming across from Bear Island headed east back to the mainland. The measuring tool on Google Maps measured the shortest distance across at about 750 yds. I knew deer could swim but I did not know they would just set off across this kind of distance.
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Almost hit a deer...with my boat
- Thread starter GATAinTN
- Start date
Pretty cool. Deer never fail to amaze me
BSK
Well-Known Member
Deer are actually very good swimmers. They have been observed swimming to and from barrier islands along the Southeastern Coast, some of which are miles from shore.
Good story and photo, thanks for sharing. I've watched and photographed bucks, does and fawns swim the lower MS River from AR to MS/TN.
waynesworld
Well-Known Member
Good thing you had a pic or I was going to ask if you were hitting the bottle early 
I saw one swim a couple hundred yards on West Point lake long ago
Hogs will do the same thing.
waynesworld
Well-Known Member
A deer i would watch at a distance a hog i may go use my net or something to see if they swim underwater
BSK
Well-Known Member
Their winter hair is hollow for heat retention, but I doubt it helps them float. Their summer hair is not hollow.
