I too have noticed this. I HAVE spotted a deer a few times, and also a pig and a cow. I play for extended periods most days (5h+), and finding wildlife is extremely rare, making hunting for food unreliable.

Occasionally I hear a chicken, though I can never find it. (This may just be my fault, as I'm not the best searcher, and also have most the graphics related to details set low)

I have no trouble finding pot and pans though, unlike other people. Which only makes it all the more infuriating. :/

If you are using the -winxp launch command, either shift+tabbing out, or exiting the game after prolonged play will cause this.

I have this problem too with my characters on certain servers.
Sometimes holding in V for a few seconds instead of just tapping it, keeps him from crouching.