I don't know what I would have done in your place. On one hand, deer are always cool and petting one would be conceptually great. On the other hand however, I hear they have ticks.

They can also break bones. I wouldn't pet it even though I love me some animals. I would let it smell me though. I guess I would risk pain to try to free it from barbwire or a trap, but I wouldn't risk pain to have a Disney moment.

The kind of ticks that give you Lyme Disease, no less. Like they gave my dog. Luckily he just got early arthritis out of the deal, instead of his kidneys shutting down.

there was a half-tame deer at a campground i went to once that let people pet it and drank out of a cup if it was offered to it

Forget the ticks, have you ever tasted deer burger? So lean and tasty... Mmmmmhhh.

if I were you, I'd take the link out of my sig.....just saying.