A deer found with an arrow through its nose in Durango required rescue after it was illegally shot.

“This has nothing to do with hunting,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Joe Lewandowski. “This was someone being stupid.”

Residents spotted the injured deer last week in the area of Crestview Drive and West Third Avenue in north Durango and called CPW to report it. A wildlife manager was able to tranquilize the deer with a dart, Lewandowski said.

The arrow went through the deer’s nasal cavity, but fortunately, it did not break any bones or appear life-threatening, Lewandowski said.

After removing the arrow, the deer was given a drug to wake up, and it appeared alert.

“No one has seen it since,” Lewandowski said. “Hopefully, the deer makes it.”

The wound appeared fresh and was not infected (the last archery season for deer was in September). The arrow was not a type an archery hunter would use. Instead, it was one typically purchased at Walmart, Lewandowski said.

Lewandowski said it is safe to say this was not done by a hunter.

“This looks like someone was not being very smart,” he said.

Hunting and shooting are illegal within Durango city limits, even during established hunting seasons.

Lewandowski said if deer are becoming a problem on private property they can be chased away or CPW can be called for advice.

Anyone with information about the injured deer is asked to contact CPW’s Durango office at 247-0855 or Operation Game Thief at (877) 265-6648.

jromeo@durangoherald.com