Here is How They Fish for the Big Ones in Alaska

I've heard of salmon jumping into boats but . . Four were pulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage, Alaska , by a group of locals on Tom Satre's 62-foot charter vessel. Four juvenile Sitka black- tailed deer swam directly toward the boat.

Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking

directly at the humans on board. Clearly, the bucks were distressed. With

help, the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals came willingly onto the boat. Once onboard, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering.

Here the rescued bucks rest on the back of Tom Satre's boat, the Alaska

Quest.

All four deer were transported to Taku Harbour . Once the group

reached the dock, the first buck that had been pulled from the water hopped

onto the dock, looked back, then leapt into the harbour, swam to shore, and

disappeared into the forest. After a bit of prodding and assistance from the humans, two others followed suit, but one deer needed more help.

Here he is being transported by Tom Satre:;

Tom, Anna and Tim Satre help the last of the "button" bucks to its feet.

They did not know how long the deer had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive.

The good Samaritans (humans) describe their experience as "one of those defining moments in life."

I'm sure it was for the deer, as well.

a h/t to "Tom" from my hometown for this story