ORIGINAL: Ridge Runner
yep, natural causes was a bad statement, I don't believe it drowned and if it fell it would regain its feet and manage to get off. its a well known predators tactic to chase prey onto the ice, its vulnerable there.
I watched a doe one time on 1/2" of ice on a steep hillside, she fell, slid 40 yards down the hill on her side and collided with a tree, she layed there non-chalantly for a few mins, then struggled to her feet, slow and easy stepped till she was off the ice and then went on about her business. they can walk on ice if they're not being pursued.
RR
Many times when a deer slips on ice its legs go out to the sides, and they are often dislocated at the shoulders, rendering it impossible to get up.