This beachgoer showed no sign of stag fright.
A white-tailed deer was spotted galloping along Rockaway Beach last week, according to a video posted on Facebook Saturday.
The buck may have been flaunting his antlers while following the age-old human tradition of heading to the beach in search of a doe-eyed companion. White-tailed deer mating season runs from mid-October through December, reaching its peak in mid-November.
Facebook commenters fawned over the unusual sight, with many calling the deer “Rocky.” One joked that the “Bucks are in town to play the Knicks.”
Others tied the appearance to the approaching Christmas season, commenting, “Rudolph is a little early” and “Dashing through the sand.”
Deer are not uncommon in New York City, though they are found mainly in the green spaces of The Bronx, located on the state’s mainland, and Staten Island, which lies just a short swim from New Jersey, according to city officials.
Strong, agile swimmers, deer can travel considerable distances through open water to reach the city’s islands and peninsulas. They are also frequently seen on nearby Nassau County barrier islands, including Barnum Island and Jones Beach Island.
New Yorkers are urged to keep their distance from deer and never feed them.
The Post contacted the NYC Parks Department for comment.
Deer are involved in as many as 70,000 motor vehicle collisions each year in New York, with nearly half taking place during mating season.