Deer – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Poachers ‘stealing’ wildlife remains a troubling issue in Utah

Wildlife authorities in Utah this week revealed that more than 1,000 wild animals were killed illegally in 2021, marking the continuation of a troubling trend.

According to the state’s Division of Wildlife Resources, hunters and anglers last year illegally harvested 1,153 animals with an estimated value of $6,100.

It was at least the third consecutive year in which the number of poached wildlife increased.

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Deer topped the list, with 180 deer, including 34 “trophy” bucks, having been killed illegally.

Elk (113, including18 trophy bull elk) were the second most targeted species.

Also on the the list: 17 mountain lions, 11 bears, five moose, one bighorn sheep, and 374 fish.

“The remaining illegally killed wildlife include a variety of small game animals, waterfowl and a variety of other wildlife species,” the DWR stated in a news release issued Wednesday.

In 2020, 1,079 animals worth an estimated $387,000 were killed illegally in Utah. In 2019, 1,065 animals worth $384,000 were poached.

In 2021, the state issued 4,394 citations and suspended the hunting or fishing privileges of 48 people. The suspension figure was up from 2020 (35), but down significantly from 2019 (84).

Said DWR Capt. Chad Bettridge: “Each animal that is illegally killed in our state is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and everyday residents to enjoy. Poachers steal our ability to enjoy Utah’s wildlife.”

–Elk image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Florida deer, alligator poaching case described as ‘shocking’

Wildlife officials in Florida have charged four people with multiple poaching-related violations after social media posts turned up “shocking” evidence against the suspects.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Thursday that its officers obtained warrants for the suspects’ social media accounts and discovered images and videos showing illegally harvested deer and alligators from Nov. 2020 through September 2021.

The evidence helped officers determine dates and locations of the suspected poaching activities. The suspects booked into the Dixie County Jail.

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“The scope of the illegal activity is shocking and shows complete disregard for our shared natural resources,” stated Maj. Scott Lee, commander of the FWC’s North Central Region. “I appreciate the dedication of our officers for their diligence with this case in bringing these individuals to justice.”

The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit.

The FWC listed the suspects’ names and the charges they face:

Jerrell Austin Clyatt Everett (DOB:08/07/2001) of Old Town, Florida:

–Five counts possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1). –Six counts possession of antlerless deer 379.404(3). –Three counts of taking/possession of alligator 379.409(1). –One count of taking deer by illegal method 68A-12.002(3)(b)2.

Kasen David Brown (DOB: 09/26/2002) of Cross City, Florida:

–Four counts of possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1). –Two counts of taking/possession of alligator 379.409(1).

Kayla Mckenzie Kline (DOB: 07/07/2003) of Old Town, Florida:

–Three counts possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1).

Keaton Aaron Brown (DOB: 07/22/2002) of Old Town, Florida:

–Three counts possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1).

–Two counts possession of antlerless deer 379.404(3).

–One count of shooting deer from roadway/right of way 68A-4.008.

–One count take deer by illegal method 68A-12.002(3)(b)2.

–One count taking deer after hours 68A-12.002(2).

–Two counts discharging firearm from roadway/right of way 790.15(1).

–One count of discharging firearm from vehicle within 1,000 feet of another person 790.15(2).

Rescued deer has new look, hunters ask if buck can be shot

A mule deer rescued in mid-October after its head became ensnared in string has a new lease on life and a sporty new appearance.

A mule deer that was rescued in mid-October after its head and antlers became ensnared in string has a new lease on life and a sporty new appearance.

“Remember the mule deer that got tangled in some string a couple weeks ago? Well, look at him now with his all-new bling (GPS collar),” the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wrote Friday on Facebook. “Check out this wildlife before and after!”

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The deer was tranquilized and fitted with a collar after residents of Parowan reported seeing a buck “with an unidentifiable mass of string caught in its antlers,” the UDWR stated on Oct. 13. “The buck was not able to see through what we suspect was a tangled hammock.”

Reaction to Friday’s post, showing a side-by-side, then-and-now image, might not be what some expected.

While some comments were congratulatory, others were from people wondering whether it’s OK to shoot the buck during hunting season.

“So if we do shoot a collared deer & report it, we won’t be harassed?” one person asked. “I mean you collar a big deer like that, that may be one in a lifetime for me. Ima shoot it!”

The UDWR responded with an answer that might surprise some of its followers, stating that the collared buck is fair game during hunting season.

“We encourage hunters not to shoot collared deer,” the agency wrote. “But if you do just make sure to report it so we can pick up the collar and reuse it.”

–Image courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

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Domestic violence call leads to multiple deer-poaching charges

A Michigan man previously convicted of illegally killing white-tailed deer faces 15 new charges after the discovery of nine poached bucks in a Decatur barn.

Police responding to a domestic violence complaint on Oct. 17 spotted the deer and tipped off the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR determined that the deer belonged to Justin Ernst, 33, a convicted felon who is suspected of killing the deer while scouting from his truck and illegally shooting the bucks with the aid of a spotlight.

DNR Conservation Officers Matt Page and Tyler Cole seized eight trophy bucks on Oct. 17. Two days later, a day after Ernst was arrested following the domestic violence complaint, Page discovered another freshly dead buck in the barn.

The homeowner allowed Page and Cole to conduct searches on both dates.

Antlers seized as evidence. Photo: Michigan DNR

On Oct. 20, Conservation Officers executed a search warrant and discovered two shotguns and a crossbow, and a bloody crossbow bolt from the bed of Ernst’s truck. Officers also found a handheld spotlight under the driver’s seat.

Ernst, who was arranged Nov. 9 in 7th District Court in Paw Paw, could be ordered to pay $59,500 in restitution. His next court appearance is Dec. 20.

In 2018, Ernst was convicted of illegally harvesting and possessing white-tailed deer. His felony record includes possession of methamphetamine, fleeing a police officer, and a third strike for driving under the influence of alcohol.

White-tailed deer. Photo: US Fish & Wildlife Service

Lt. Gerald Thayer of the Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division stated in a Thursday news release:

“It’s a shame that this criminal ruined the chance for ethical, legal hunters to have their opportunity to take one of these trophy deer. Not only did this felon steal from the natural resource, he also damaged agriculture crops, and has been doing so for some time.”

Among the charges against Ernst are two counts of firearm possession by a felon; two felony firearms violations; hunting with a revoked license, and nine counts of illegal deer harvest.

The nine bucks included five with 10 antler points, a nine-pointer, and three eight-pointers.

After shooting decoy, charges pile up for suspected deer poachers

Three individuals were arrested in Massachusetts recently after officers observed one of them shooting a deer decoy from inside a vehicle after legal hunting hours on private property.

Three individuals were arrested in Massachusetts after officers observed one of them shooting a deer decoy from inside a vehicle after legal hunting hours on private property.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police stated in a news release that officers on patrol in the Templeton/Phillipston area saw a vehicle spotlight illuminating the woods before one of the individuals shot the decoy with a crossbow.

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“Realizing it was a decoy, the vehicle attempted to flee but was subsequently stopped by Officers,” MEP said of the Nov. 11 incident. “Officers then observed deer legs within the truck bed in plain view.

“Three individuals in the vehicle, including the operator, were arrested. Through the interview process, it was reported that additional deer had been taken illegally.”

Officers seized the crossbow as evidence and impounded the vehicle.

The individuals were arraigned Monday on charges that include firing of a crossbow within 150 feet of a road; illegal hunting with a crossbow; hunting with the aid of a vehicle; hunting with artificial light; hunting after hours; tagging violations, and hunting on public land without permits.

Massachusetts Environmental Police added that additional charges stemming from violations in another state “are forthcoming.”

–White-tailed deer image is generic

Watch: Buck seeks refuge in church on first day of deer season

Pastors at Grace Christian Fellowship Church were surprised to find a buck had broken into their church. The moment was captured in video.

On the first day of deer season for firearms in Michigan, a 10-point buck apparently sought to find refuge in Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Sturgis, breaking through a window and becoming a huge surprise to the pastors when they got to the church Monday morning.

“When Luke Eicher, Justin Wickey and Amanda Eicher arrived at the church this morning, they found signs of breaking and entering,” stated the church’s description on the video. “Little did they know that a 10-point buck had come for prayer in the auditorium on opening day of gun season.”

Pastor Amanda Eicher captured the discovery on video:

When the three walked into the church’s office Monday morning, they noticed light coming from a darkened window in the auditorium.

“When I peeked inside, I saw the window was broken and heard loud banging,” Amanda Eisher told Storyful. “My husband rushed in and found this 10-point buck. On the opening day of the gun season of all days!”

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As you can see in the video, the buck eventually made its way out the same way he had come in.

“There was some damage to the building and our pastors are a little traumatized,” the church reported. “But the buck left strengthened in the Lord to go face his battles.”

Photo courtesy of Grace Christian Fellowship Church.

Deer decoys help nab poachers as Oregon’s hunting season begins

Oregon’s general buck deer-hunting season opened Saturday, and for law enforcement personnel that meant it was also open season on prospective poachers.

Oregon’s general buck deer-hunting season opened Saturday, and for law enforcement personnel that represented open season on prospective poachers.

Oregon State Police announced Wednesday that Fish & Wildlife Troopers deployed Wildlife Enforcement Decoys in rural Washington and Yamhill Counties over the weekend.

The deer decoys were placed within sight of roads at night, when hunting is illegal, and Troopers waited for the inevitable.

“On four occasions hunters stopped their vehicle in the public roadway and discharged firearms at the decoys,” OSP stated on Facebook. “The subjects were approximately 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 2 hours, and 3 hours outside of legal hunting hours.”

The state takes illegal hunting seriously, stating that “poaching is not only theft from the hunting community, but from Oregon.”

The subjects were cited for unlawful take of buck deer and their firearms were seized as evidence. They also face charges of hunting in prohibited areas – shooting deer from roads is illegal – and with the aid of artificial light.

The crimes are Class A misdemeanors, just below felony offenses. Punishments can include a three-year hunting-license suspension, forfeiture of evidence, court-mandated fines, loss of accrued preference points, restitution, and probation.

Additionally, under the Wildlife Violator Compact, hunters with suspended licenses cannot purchase licenses or tags in the 48 states that participate in the Compact.

“The Oregon State Police wants to educate hunters on the importance of lawful, ethical hunting,” OSP stated. “Rules developed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow for fair-chase hunting ensure a stable population of wildlife not only for future generations of hunters but for all people in the state to enjoy as well.”

–Deer decoy image courtesy of Oregon State Police

Deer runs downriver to edge of a 48-foot waterfall, then…surprise!

A deer appeared to be frantically running down the Tahquamenon River toward a waterfall, and then the unexpected occurred. “I cannot believe that,” said one tourist.

A deer appeared to be frantically running down the Tahquamenon River in Luce County, Michigan, and was heading for disaster. Looming large ahead was Tahquamenon Falls and its approximate 48-foot drop.

Cassidy Hasek saw the deer running toward a viewing platform “and we all thought it was so cute, so I started recording,” Hasek told ViralHog. “Then I realized the deer wasn’t going to stop and it was approaching the waterfall.”

What happened next was quite a surprise.

As you can see in the video captured earlier this month, the deer slowed at the edge of the waterfall as if trying to put on the brakes, but it was too late. The current carried the animal over the falls, creating angst among the tourists. Several seconds passed, with most of them thinking the worst.

“I thought it was dead until a few minutes later when I saw it swimming again!” Hasek told ViralHog.

“A big question I had is, what was it running from and did it end up okay and survive?” Hasek said.

As it approached shore near the end of the video, the deer appeared to have difficulty negotiating the rocky bottom, prompting it to continue swimming downriver. From there, who knows what could have happened to it?

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One comment can be heard near the end of the video saying, “I cannot believe that.”

To see it pop up and swimming was a bit unbelievable, considering Tahquamenon Falls is said to be the third-most voluminous vertical waterfall east of the Mississippi River after Niagara Falls and Cohoes Falls.

Photo courtesy of ViralHog.

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Bystander’s quick thinking results in extraordinary rescue of fawn

A fawn being swept down a canal of fast-moving water faced imminent death before a man made an extraordinary rescue at the last second.

A fawn accidentally fell into a canal of fast-moving water and was facing imminent death by drowning before a quick-thinking bystander came up with a plan to thwart the tragedy at the last second.

The incident occurred in a canal near the Equestrian Park in North Ogden, Utah, with Rachel Kunz capturing the extraordinary rescue in video. She shared the footage with KSL 5 TV.

https://www.facebook.com/ksltv/videos/851443482161753

The fawn, being swept down the canal, futilely attempted to climb out, but the wall was too steep and the rushing water too fast. Nearing a small waterfall that led to a metal grate where it would surely get caught up and drown, the deer turned around and tried to swim upstream but to no avail.

Fortunately, a good Samaritan, presumed to be Kunz’s husband Dean, rushed to a foot bridge that spanned the canal just ahead of the grate and got down in the prone position to intercept the fawn. As the deer approached, he reached down and grabbed it by the ear and pulled it up and out of the canal, just in the nick of time.

“There are still heroes out there!!” one Facebook commenter wrote, echoing what most were writing about the rescue. “Thanks to all that show so much love to all of our earthly friends!!”

Blow darts to kill deer? Oregon poaching case takes ‘cruel turn’

Authorities in Oregon are hopeful that a $1,000 reward will help lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for killing and injuring mule deer with blow darts.

Authorities in Oregon are hopeful that a $1,000 reward will help lead to an arrest for the killing and injuring of mule deer with blow darts.

At least two deer have died and three others were injured after being struck with blow darts during the past four months in Burns County.

Hunting large animals with blow darts is illegal in part because darts kill slowly over time, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife explained Tuesday in a news release.

“Either the wound will lead to an infection, or if the stomach or intestines are punctured, the deer will die, but it will take a while, and it will be painful,” said ODFW biologist Rod Klus.“It takes a deer anywhere from days to weeks to die from infection.”

Deer shot with blow dart. Credit: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

On Feb. 13, acting on a tip, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers discovered a doe “in failing health” with a dart in her side. She was subsequently euthanized.

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On Nov. 6, 2020, Troopers found a fawn carcass in the same area with a dart in its neck.

From November through February three other mule deer were discovered carrying darts in their bodies. They were sedated and released after the darts had been surgically removed.

The Oregon Hunters Assn. this week offered the $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or citation.

Said the group’s chairman, Fred Walasavage: “It is no secret that mule deer populations continue to be on a decline in Oregon. Granted, there are many factors such as habitat loss, road kills, and predation. But when it comes to intentionally poaching wildlife, that’s where OHA members draw the line.”

Added Yvonne Shaw of the ODFW’s Stop Poaching Campaign: “Poaching steals natural resources from all Oregonians. In this case, poaching takes a cruel turn. Thankfully, residents in Burns are quick to alert OSP Troopers by calling the TIP Line. Let’s hope they find whoever is doing this.”

Klus expressed concern that more mule deer will turn up with darts in their bodies unless the investigation takes a positive turn. The ODFW TIP Line text and phone numbers are *OSP (677) and 800-452-7888. Email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

–Top and bottom images are generic