So, you show up to a property you dont have permission to hunt to drop something off to a buddy. While there you notice a pile of dead deer laying there with one having its head cut off. appears to be about a week old. He knows nothing about it and it appears they were killed and dumped with no meat taken. Do you call the warden or mind your own?
Possible Poachers
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entropy
Member
Poachers would take all the meat. That would be head hunters. Even if it were his pile of deer, yes, I'd take pics, call the warden and and send the pics. Then ghost. Only show up if served a subpoena.
Thats the thing I know 100% its not my buddies. The first day he's set foot on this property he locked his keys in the car. I brought it to his attention and he said probably poachers.
Chuck R.
Member
Does your buddy own the land or know the land owner?
Generally "head hunters" (still poachers) don't bother with does.
Around here landowners can get "Deer Damage Control Permits", which requires jumping through some state hoops:
https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Damage-Control/Deer-Damage-Control-Permits
There's a chance the landowner didn't want to bother going the official route.
My neighbor was bitching about crop damage this summer and said some does "had to go". Deer managed to strip out 6 rows of corn against the wood-line. It very well could have ended up with a pile of dead deer somewhere. I worked a deal with him to do a couple doe hunts on his place to avoid the hassle of getting the control permits. I acted as the "Jagermeister" and coordinated for some of our uniformed guys with kids to hunt during our 3 day early does season. I broke his 480 acres into zones and assigned hunters zones/stands. Also provided game retrieval with my UTV so we didn't tear anything up. That hunt resulted in 2 tags being filled, and 1 doe wounded/lost. Best part, in my neighbor's eyes we were successful (-3 total), so we get to return during our late doe season to fill some more tags.
So, while not right/legal I understand where the farmer's coming from.
Generally "head hunters" (still poachers) don't bother with does.
Around here landowners can get "Deer Damage Control Permits", which requires jumping through some state hoops:
https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Damage-Control/Deer-Damage-Control-Permits
There's a chance the landowner didn't want to bother going the official route.
My neighbor was bitching about crop damage this summer and said some does "had to go". Deer managed to strip out 6 rows of corn against the wood-line. It very well could have ended up with a pile of dead deer somewhere. I worked a deal with him to do a couple doe hunts on his place to avoid the hassle of getting the control permits. I acted as the "Jagermeister" and coordinated for some of our uniformed guys with kids to hunt during our 3 day early does season. I broke his 480 acres into zones and assigned hunters zones/stands. Also provided game retrieval with my UTV so we didn't tear anything up. That hunt resulted in 2 tags being filled, and 1 doe wounded/lost. Best part, in my neighbor's eyes we were successful (-3 total), so we get to return during our late doe season to fill some more tags.
So, while not right/legal I understand where the farmer's coming from.
Nope. Doesn't know the guy from adam. He knocked on his door and he cut him loose on several of his properties with permission for small game only. One was a fresh spike yearling, another a doe and another big body missing the head right where the spine meets the skull. I am trying to figure out how to go about reporting it so I dont throw my buddy under the bus and get him dragged into a mess or myself into a mess. He basically said none of his buisness when I brought it up. Also, no way this farmer is shooting them cause he's in pretty bad shape. I was with him when he knocked and the guy said here is a slip, bring some buddies, do whatever you want but no deer hunting and stay off certain spots.
Chuck R.
Member
We've got a 1-800 tip line that's anonymous, odds are your state has one too.
I would report it and let the DNR figure it out. That's their job, not yours and and no one needs to know who reported it. There is all sorts of stuff that goes on that may or may not be an issue. Many moons a ago neighbor had two deer hanging early opening day. When the deer were inspected by the DNR, the deer were frozen solid at an hour after opening on opening day. The DNR took everything, but later had to return only a vehicle and camper. Two people were cited, lost hunting rights for 5 years, as reported in the local newspaper. Each were fined and had to pay additional money by the pound, live weight plus court costs. I was told the final cost was around $1,800 from a local farmer. I was surprised that the two hunters were showing off illegal bucks in their front yard. I only found out about this one because the arresting officers came on our property as we were dragging our deer in and they politely registered them for us, explaining they followed up a "problem call" in the neighborhood. How quickly news travels in a small town.
Highland Lofts
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Make an anonymous call and report it. That way they will more the likely patrol the area more often.
Last edited:
entropy
Member
Dang autocorrect.......
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A person poaching to feed his otherwise starving family is one thing. It's illegal but has happened many times especially during the Great Depression. While I can't condone it, I understand why it is done. Now, on the other hand trophy hunters are despicable. That happens in my area too and I once looked into the back of the game warden's truck and saw four magnificient heads (three bull elk and one stag).
Highland Lofts
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I can't stand these pieces of $&!÷ that shoot deer and just drop them off somewhere like a bag of garbage. To bad the deer can't do the same to them.
This should be a felony and prison time.
Loss of gun rights for life.
This should be a felony and prison time.
Loss of gun rights for life.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Since it is not your property/lease, I would leave that up to your buddy to decide if he wants to call the game warden. You might encourage him to do so or first ask his permission for you to do so. I think that would be the obvious decision on his part, but he may have reasons he does not want the game warden on his property/lease, fears getting accused by the game warden, etc.
No, poachers will not necessarily take the meat. That would be "meat hunters" using your vernacular. Some poachers will kill for the heads. Some will kill just to kill.
Bazoo
Member
If they will kill deer like that, they might kill a person if they were surprised during the act. I'd probably report it.
As a side note, might be a good way to get acquainted with the local game warden. Once they know you're on their side, they may offer some nice hunting area leads.
As a side note, might be a good way to get acquainted with the local game warden. Once they know you're on their side, they may offer some nice hunting area leads.
Seedy Character
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Report it
It isn't right and effects everybody.
GW have a huge area to patrol. Without other's eyes and info, the job is nearly impossible.
It isn't right and effects everybody.
GW have a huge area to patrol. Without other's eyes and info, the job is nearly impossible.
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