Sadly, Lin, the deer was most likely a victim of a 'hit and run' car encounter. The deer in our area don't have any natural predators, except for Dodge Rams and such. But, like you, I admire the vultures. I've also read that turkey vultures hang out with black vultures because the blacks have a better sense of smell. I have no idea how someone figures these things out...Okay, I'm going to stop now before I start to sound like The Vulture Whisperer.