Someone with a taste for venison poached a majestic whitetail buck at Monocacy National Battlefield in Maryland, where authorities are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever did the deed.
Rangers discovered the carcass of the 12-point buck on the Thomas Farm section of the battlefield on Monday. They believe the deer was killed sometime last week.
Shooting and taking of wildlife inside the park area is a criminal offense. Poachers are prosecuted to the full extent of the law and potentially face heavy fines, restitution costs, jail time, and forfeiture of crime-associated personal property, including weapons, and loss of hunting privileges.
Persons convicted of the federal poaching statute known as the Lacey Act and 36 Code of Federal Regulations can be fined up to $15,000 and sentenced up to one and a half years in jail. Rangers are asking for assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible.
Anyone who has information regarding this violation and/or poaching in Monocacy is encouraged to contact Ranger Courtney Murphy (301) 698-6247 ext. 225.
Comments
Didn't see here that just the meat was salvaged or left. Knowing that it was a 12 point buck would have to mean that the antlers were left. Can accept this more (but not altogether) than someone taking the antlers and leaving the meat. Is this action "economy" related? Hunter/Gatherer gene showing itself?
This is just senseless thrill killing. Shoot an animal and leave it on land where it is clearly illegal to hunt. the bag limit for deer with a firearm in MD is 12. With such a generous limit why shoot and kill one only to abandon it. I hope they're proud of themselves.
Based on the information here there is no indication the deer was shot in the park, only that it was found in the park. It could have been shot outside the park and died inside the park. Hunters would not be permitted to enter the park to retrieve the deer. If these are the facts then it is a shame it was illegal to retrieve. Normally a poacher would take the horns, especially a 12 point, something not right here.
Concerned: I believe you might be right. I don't know why but the Fast and Furious deception came to mind (although an unreasonable connection I realize). Jumping to conclusions on this from what's been released does allow those that have a particular bias to express it. More factual details, please (on everything one hears from the press).
It is legal to retrieve legally shot deer outside the park that then run into a national park. All people need to do is call the park, obtain permission, and trail the animal with no weapons.
This is terrible to see happen. I hope those who were involved are caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law!
That you can contact F&W (state) for retrieval. No you can no longer retrieve an animal that dies in the park. In the past you had to contact the Park Service (Federal) and they would determine if you could go in and how far. It was up to the individual as to how far he would let you look for a wounded animal and even if you could enter the park. As of a month ago the new policy is absolutely no retrieval. I had the parkie show me the book and paragraph with the verbage. Hopefully it will be challenged.
If portions of the Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia State Park & Forest Lands become
designated as the new Appalachian Highlands National Park, this tragic poaching story will become a
weekly incident case for the NPS. West Virginia must have over half its hunters behaving as nightly
poachers without fear of arrest. This backwoods criminal culture will not change without really serious
law enforcement citing poachers with large fines.