Tag: Deer

Arkansas deer hunter accused of ‘contest fraud’ in Louisiana

An Arkansas man faces possible jail time after allegedly poaching a 15-point deer in Arkansas and entering the animal in a big-buck contest in Louisiana.

An Arkansas man faces possible jail time after allegedly poaching a 15-point deer in Arkansas and entering the animal in a big-buck contest in Louisiana.

Andrew Riels, 27, of Crossett, Ark., was cited recently for hunting contest fraud and violating interstate commerce regulations by agents with the Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The agents were informed of Reils’ activities by wildlife agents in Arkansas.

“During the investigation, agents learned that Riels illegally harvested a 15-point buck during illegal hours on Sept. 8 near Crosset, Ark.,” the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated in a news release. “Riels then entered the buck into the Simmons Sporting Goods Big Buck Contest in Bastrop [La.] later that same day.”

Riels was cited for the illegal killing of the buck on Oct. 30 in Arkansas.

Hunting contest fraud in Louisiana is punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 and one year in jail. Violation of interstate commerce regulations is punishable by a fine of up to $950 and 120 days in jail.

Amid Montana investigation, deer left to roam with arrow in back

Authorities are requesting public assistance in an attempt to identify the person who fired the arrow.

Authorities in Montana are investigating a poaching case involving a mule deer buck that’s still carrying an arrow that somebody shot into its back.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, wardens responded to a call from a Billings Heights resident about the wounded deer on Nov. 2.

Wardens located the deer and decided that it had been shot the same day, within city limits where hunting is banned. (Montana’s archery deer-hunting season ended Oct. 20.)

An image released to the media shows the arrow deeply embedded into the top of the deer’s back, near its spine. But the deer apparently has full mobility, so FWP decided against a capture effort.

Injured mule deer. Photo: Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks

“FWP does not believe the arrow wound will be fatal for the deer and at this time are not planning to capture the deer to remove the arrow,” the agency stated Tuesday in a news release.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to call the regional warden at 406-860-7805, or submit a report via tipmont.mt.gov.

Burmese python in Florida tries to swallow 77-pound deer; video

Biologists studying the invasive reptiles’ impacts on Florida wildlife recently documented the extraordinary predation event.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida on Thursday shared images and video showing a Burmese python attempting to “ingest” a 77-pound white-tailed deer.

The adult female python, photographed in South Florida by conservancy biologist Ian Bartoszek, measured 14 feet, 8 inches.

Bartoszek stated: “Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget.

“The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied. This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem.”

(Click here to view video footage showing the extraordinary predation event.)

The imagery, showcased via Facebook, was used in a collaborative study “to better understand the ecological impacts of the invasive Burmese python.”

https://www.facebook.com/ConservancySWF/posts/pfbid0W1ipaYfxoaTfKZcXV7YhBrRyaQnneRcFauyZ4hPdSu7qy17BzgG28rMYNKxEkaj3l

The study was published recently in the journal of Reptiles and Amphibians.

Burmese pythons, which can measure nearly 20 feet, are native to Southeast Asia. They have established populations throughout South Florida, including the Everglades region.

They have no natural predators (besides humans) and continue to expand their range, posing a growing threat to native wildlife.

Because of this, they are not protected and the state allows the humane killing of pythons without a permit or hunting license.

The largest python captured in Florida measured 18 feet.

Oregon poachers are harassing, killing deer with pellet guns

Five carcasses have been discovered in one neighborhood and at least one deer died after a pellet became lodged in its lung.

Authorities in Oregon are hopeful that a newly offered $2,000 reward will help them identify and prosecute the person or persons responsible for harassing and killing deer with pellet guns.

Five black-tailed deer carcasses have been discovered so far this month in Roseburg, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. At least one deer died after a pellet became lodged in its lung.

“It was a nice, forked horn buck that ended up dying next to a resident’s barn,” said Jason Stone, an Oregon State Police/Fish & Wildlife senior trooper. “The pellet broke a rib and clipped its lung, which caused it to hemorrhage. Both lungs then filled with blood.”

The carcasses were discovered in the Meadows neighborhood. Troopers who canvassed the neighborhood were told that some residents use pellet guns to haze deer away from their gardens.

Said Stone: “People think that pellet guns won’t hurt deer, but if the pellet lodges in the right place, it can be lethal. Regardless of if they intend to harass or haze animals, if they kill the animal, it is still an unlawful take and we don’t want to see that continue.”

Several of the carcasses had decomposed in hot weather, making it difficult for authorities to determine the cause of death.

The reward was put up by the Oregon Hunters Association. A tip that leads to an arrest or citation in any of the incidents can earn the provider $2,000 or preference points toward state-sanctioned hunts.

Said the OHA’s Kelly Forney: “The wanton shooting of deer in this busy neighborhood is a serious offense that should be punished. A significant TIP reward will encourage those that know about this crime to come forward.”

Those offering tips via the Turn in Poachers line can remain anonymous.

–Black-tailed deer image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Rare sight as cougar hauls deer across Colorado ‘backyard’

Colorado Parks and Wildlife explained that the mountain lion was “on its way to cache (or store) its food.”

A Colorado resident has captured extraordinary footage showing a mountain lion hauling its deer kill across a meadow in Larimer County.

“Our Backyard. Glacier View Meadows, Livermore, CO,” Shari Fortson described Friday via X.

Mountain lions, or cougars, commonly prey on deer. But the cats are most active at dawn and dusk so predation events are rarely witnessed.

In the footage, the mountain lion pauses occasionally as if to rest or obtain a better grip on the carcass.

Fortson’s video was shared by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department, which remarked: “This is a rare look at a mountain lion on its way to cache (or store) its food. The lion will return to their cache over the next few days to continue eating.”

The most popular comment beneath Fortson’s post was in reference to the cougar: “Looks more like his backyard.”

Glacier View Meadows is a rural paradise near the Arapaho National Forest along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

–Generic cougar image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Trapped deer gets stuck in Old Navy, breaks glass to escape

Watch this critter break free.

Deer are one of the most common animals in the United States. North America is home to about 35 million of these critters, and several states claim the deer as their representative animal. Most Americans have probably seen a deer up close. Backyard deer sightings aren’t uncommon for many people, especially those who live on the East Coast.

What is uncommon is seeing a deer trapped inside an Old Navy store. On February 15, this strange sight is exactly what several shoppers in Greenville, South Carolina, witnessed. According to local news outlet WYFF 4, a troubled deer was seen frantically trying to escape from an Old Navy at Greenville’s Cherrydale Point Plaza.

See the deer make its escape in the video below. As a warning for all animal lovers out there, this video does contain images of an injured animal in distress.

Note: The featured image is a stock photo used to illustrate the story.

Hunter who bagged potential record deer under investigation

Christopher J. Alexander, who gained notoriety after killing the buck during archery season, is facing poaching allegations.

An Ohio hunter who gained notoriety after killing a potential record white-tailed deer last month during archery season is at the center of a poaching investigation.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday confirmed that its Division of Wildlife is investigating allegations that Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, failed to obtain written permission from the owner of the private land on which the deer was harvested.

“While the investigation continues, Ohio wildlife officers have seized the antlers, cape, and hunting equipment associated with the alleged unlawful taking of the deer,” the DNR stated in a news release.

According to Outdoor Life, hunters on social-media forums had expressed suspicion that the deer might have been harvested illegally at night, since published photos showing Alexander posing with the buck were taken after dark.

Alexander’s explanation, according to Outdoor Life, was that the deer was harvested during legal hours but the photos were taken later, after a friend’s girlfriend arrived with a camera.

The DNR did not mention allegations of after-hours hunting.

The agency stated, simply, that the investigation was launched “after information was provided alleging that Alexander failed to obtain the lawfully required written permission prior to hunting on private property.”

Outdoor Life, citing an expert, reported that the buck warranted a “green score” of 206 7 / 8 inches.

“With that preliminary score,” the publication continued, “the buck would have the potential to be the number one typical whitetail taken in the state of Ohio, and the number three typical whitetail taken in North America.”

Alexander faces a significant fine, at the least, if he’s found guilty of illegally harvesting the buck.

–Generic white-tailed deer image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

What you should know about the deer in your backyard

Here are some fawn deer facts.

Most people who live in the United States have seen a few deer roaming the wilderness. After all, there are roughly 35 million deer in North America. While several native deer species call the U.S. home, you’re probably most familiar with the iconic and ubiquitous white-tailed deer. These critters are the representative animal (or mammal) for 13 states and served as the inspiration for Disney’s “Bambi.” So, let’s learn more about them.

Whether you like to hunt deer or watch them from your front porch, these five interesting deer facts will pique your curiosity. Here’s what you should know about these animals.

Plus, learn about the fascinating muntjac deer here.

Stampeding deer halt traffic in Hawaii, video put to surf music

A commuter on Molokai has captured surreal footage that shows deer stampeding across the island’s main highway, halting traffic.

A commuter on Molokai has captured surreal footage showing deer stampeding across the Hawaiian island’s main highway, halting traffic.

The footage was captured Nov. 10 by Pono Poepoe while he stopped to watch dozens of axis deer sprinting across the road in columns. His video was sent to Hawaii News Now, which put the dramatic scene to surf music.

“Molokai is not known for its long wait times on the road — but it is definitely known for having too many deer,” Hawaii News Now declared.

Facing Poepoe, opposite the deer, are a bicyclist and moped driver, caught between stampeding deer columns.

Axis deer were introduced to Molokai in the 1860s and now exist on Molokai, Lanai and Maui. With no natural predators, the animals have multiplied to where they pose a significant threat to native vegetation.

Axis deer populations on these islands are controlled, in part, via public hunting.

–Generic axis deer image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

10-year-old hunter accidentally shoots man in buttocks

A Minnesota man was hospitalized with serious injuries Sunday after his 10-year-old hunting partner accidentally shot him in the buttocks.

A Minnesota man was hospitalized with serious injuries Sunday after his 10-year-old hunting partner accidentally shot him in the buttocks.

Valley News Live reported that the incident occurred in Hubbard County during opening weekend of the youth deer-hunting season.

The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Department, which responded to the incident, identified the man as Gary Peters.

Peters, 50, had accompanied the youth on a hunt earlier Sunday. Back at his truck, he instructed the youth to unload the bolt-action 270-caliber rifle.

While attempting to do so, the child apparently pulled the trigger, with the bullet passing through both of Peters’ buttocks.

Peters was transported to a nearby hospital and subsequently airlifted to a larger hospital in Fargo.

–Generic deer image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas