Ghoul Deer Spotted In Elko

The Elko, Nevada, Daily Free Press is reporting that a ghoul deer has been spotted in a cemetery. They misidentify it as a 'mule' deer, but the difference should be obvious.

A 4-by-2 mule deer buck drew numerous onlookers Tuesday morning as it was spotted lounging in the shade in the cemetery on Cedar Street. While does, or perhaps the same doe, have been spotted in the tree streets this summer, this is the first time this year a buck of any size has been reported in town.

Nevada Department of Wildlife Conservation Educator Joe Doucette said it’s likely the buck came into town for relief from the high temperatures and dry conditions outside of town.

Though it’s true a significant portion of the area habitat that helps support the deer population has been lost due to wildfires, Doucette said this deer’s venture into town likely wasn’t one of necessity. Deer do, however, browse on succulent forbs, such as dandelions, pansies and similar leafy flowering plants.

Of course ghoul deer graze on human flesh, not flowers. But this is the first reported sighting of a ghoul deer in Nevada. It's fairly unusual, ghoul goats are generally more common.