Possibly one of the most famous icons in Prince Rupert right now is a deer.
On Aug. 14, the young buck鈥檚 antler became tangled in a backyard hammock on 6th Avenue East. The police were called to rescue the deer and after an approximately 30 minute struggle he was freed with part of the hammock still attached to his antler.
Since then, he鈥檚 been roaming the city and attracting followers who snap photos and post on a Facebook page titled the 鈥淐hronicles Of Hammy The Deer Official Page.鈥� The page has more than 400 members, with photos being added daily.
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Marced茅s Mack started the Facebook page after she spotted the deer in her neighbour鈥檚 backyard when he was caught in the hammock. She stood outside in the rain until he was freed, but she couldn鈥檛 forget that buck.
鈥淚 constantly thought about how Hammy was doing. I kinda felt an attachment so I figured if I started a page for him I can bring the community together to keep 鈥榯abs鈥� on Hammy for me by sharing pics and stories. [It鈥檚] also a place on Facebook for the locals to go and enjoy his journey around town,鈥� she said .
The deer has been seen using the crosswalk, eating greens in backyards and on Nov. 1 he frequented Fraser Street in front of the Northern View newsroom.
The excitement is real for some who see Hammy for the first time, and the deer continues to win hearts every time he crosses someone鈥檚 path 鈥� proof is in the social media posts and selfies that usually follow.
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On Halloween, a few residents dressed up as the deer, with the iconic purple rope wrapped in a set of antlers.
There are even Hammy T-shirts for sale by Haley Apparel. The shirts sold out in a day, said Christy Allen, e鈥橩lektik Trading shop owner. She had 14 shirts at her store and now she鈥檚 taking pre-orders for more. Profits from the T-shirts are being dedicated to the Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab Shelter.
鈥淗ammy is an icon. Everyone has seen Hammy. Everyone is concerned about the welfare of this animal,鈥� Allen said.
The conservation officer knows about the hammock deer but has no plans to untangle the buck as he will eventually shed his famous antlers.
Mack is hoping that when that happens whoever finds the antlers could possibly raffle them off in a fundraise for the wildlife shelter, or donate them to either the museum or a place in the city as a historical monument.
shannon.lough@thenorthernview.com
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