Deer shot in head with crossbow undergoes emergency arrow removal

The good news is the deer lived. In fact, it's expected to make a full recovery.

The bad news is it was shot in the head with a crossbow, and conservation officers had to tranquillize the animal to remove the arrow.

Patricia Burley with the B.C. Conservation Officers Service said reports of a deer in Elkford, B.C., with an arrow through its head first came in on Tuesday.

On Thursday, when they located the animal, they discovered the arrowhad pierced a non-critical part of itslower left ear and cartilage.

"We were able to use our traquilization setup it's a gun that shoots a dart and sedate the deer," said Burley.

"Once it was down, we were able to successfully remove the arrow and put some antiseptic cream on it. Then we use a reversal drug, and we were able to watch the deer jump up and run away."

Burley said they don't know the circumstances of the deer being shot but, regardless, the incident did violate a number of wildlife act codes, including discharging a weapon and hunting out of season.