We think we have a poacher

[mikemorvan]

So i was walking back to camp from a bow hunt yesterday morning. Walking up the road i see a coyote in the middle of one of our pastures. Not that unusual, they cross that pasture regularly. But he keeps milling around, kind of acting crazy, in the middle of the pasture. As i gain some elevation i can tell he has a red face. Bad business. I assumed he was eating one of the ranchers new calves. So i go on up to camp, grab a rifle, and head back down to the pasture. Of course, by the time i get there the varmint is gone. I walked over and found the scene, expecting to see remains of a black calf. But no, i find the remains of a small buck deer.

The hide was clearly skinned and pulled back over the deers head. I took a couple of pictures and pulled the hide back over the remains of the body. There are clearly what appear to be two bullet holes.

There's a couple of working theories. I've left it in the hands of the rancher and the game warden. Hopefully they can get is sorted out.

[fish4food]

I’d guess buzzards, caracaras, or coyotes trying to tear into it.

[doghouse]

I would think coyotes got him from the pics.

[Fishndude]

Any neighbors nearby? Maybe a wounded deer that got over the fence?

[mikemorvan]

The coyotes, and maybe buzzards, clearly ate on him. The question is how he got to where
he is. There's been a couple of unaccounted for shots heard from the ranchers house and an unexplained truck parked where it shouldn't have been. Maybe it's all coincidence. Maybe not.

I've never seen a hide pulled up over a deers head after the coyotes got to it. That's the fishiest part to me. Maybe i'm making much of nothing.

[mikemorvan]

Any neighbors nearby? Maybe a wounded deer that got over the fence?

Neighbors on two sides. Both are pretty responsible.

[White Falcon]

yots.

[Muskles]

I'm not convinced that any animal would skin the hide up that way. I think the yotes are picking what's left from someone quartering it.

[sierracharlie338]

I'm not convinced that any animal would skin the hide up that way. I think the yotes are picking what's left from someone quartering it.

I've never seen a hide pulled up over a deers head after the coyotes got to it. That's the fishiest part to me. Maybe i'm making much of nothing.

I have to agree here fellas. Looks like a body dump and the varmints getting after what’s left.



Sierracharlie out....

[Hillwhacker]

Did you find shoulder blades or back legs anything to indicate it wasn’t quartered up?

[mikemorvan]

Did you find shoulder blades or back legs anything to indicate it wasn’t quartered up?

I didn't do an extensive search, but no.

[SmTx]

We get deer dumped down the county road every year. Mostly just take backstraps and sometimes the head.

[mikemorvan]

I should say, the deer was probably 150 yards off the road. I think the guy actually hunted one of our blinds.

[Muskles]

Did you find shoulder blades or back legs anything to indicate it wasn’t quartered up?

You can see the rear hock of one of the legs in the first picture. I've never seen predators remove the ham bone and leave the lower leg. Not saving it isn't possible, I've just never seen it.

[SmTx]

I should say, the deer was probably 150 yards off the road. I think the guy actually hunted one of our blinds.

Insult to injury there. We lock every stand. If someone is going to poach they're not going to be comfortable in a stand