woolybear Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 Ok guys, today after I killed my turkey I decided to swing by my cams to check the cards. My pack on my back, my gun over one shoulder, and my turkey over the other.... I was anything but quiet on my way out. I was easily a mile or more from home at this point. When I got to the cam, I bumped 3 deer and watched them run off. Well, untill I opened the cam and looked up to see a deer running right to me! I didn't want to move and scare it so I slipped my pocket cam out and started taking pics with my point and shoot. After a little while, it was obvious this deer wasn't afraid of me. I think when it licked me, that was a dead giveaway,lol. So I got out the Nikon and backed up for a shot or two of her at my trail cam. Well she was still sticking around so I dropped my pack, my gun, and my turkey and figured I'd get as many shots as I could. She was browsing all around me and would come over to lick my lens and sniff me whenever I moved around. She eventually made her way over to my gun and grabbed my hat nocking my gun over! I zoomed a bit more than I intended on this shot but it's close enough. I already had a mess of pics of her so I said goodbye and started to head home again. A few hundred yards later I found a nice log to take some more field photos of my turkey on so I composed the pic and got ready to hop in it. All of a sudden, my little friend comes flying up on me again and wants to be petted. Shortly after that she got in my field photo and became the star of the show! I messed around with her some more there, and wondered just how far she'd follow me. It didn't take long to realise, she was going home with me! Here she is on the edge of the yard over a mile from where she started following me. Eventually she made her way over to my "wall of shame" to see all her dead relatives. Finally she bedded down in the yard after mowing down some dandellions and clover. But the story aint over yet folks! Gotta edit and load more pics..... things are about to get interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 She followed me home.. Ok you don't have to shoot this one:). What a little cutie!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 Ya that must have been an awesome experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 Cool!!..Have that happen on the wheeler..they hear it and come running after me...they know where the corn and alfalfa comes from in winter..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 Great story and pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 That's a cool story Matt! Looking forward to hearing and seeing the rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 Yeah we'll give you a pass on clubbing that one Matt! Great pics, looks like you got some work to do now mama lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 Great shots Matt, and very interesting story already. That had to be a very cool experience. Look forward to the next part of the story and pics, thanks for sharing with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 raised deer from nearby? if you've got seedless grapes man oh man do they like them. rub their neck and they get relaxed and drowsy looking. then just sit there licking your arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted May 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 After a good long while contemplating what to do next I was still undecided. I'm usually pretty good at figuring things out by myself and making up my own mind when it comes to this kind of stuff, but now I was technically in posession of a deer, and didn't quite have all the answers I needed to make the wisest decision. I decided at this point it was best to put it in someone elses hands who would know better what was best for this little rascal. Reluctantly, I got out my wallet where I had a card from a DEC officer who I met in the past and explained what had happened. The officer sounded interested on the phone and said he would be out shortly to take a look at the critter and then we'd go from there. He arrived and observed the deers behavior, her physical condition and appearance, and her tempermant. After gathering all this information, he rattled off about a half dozen deer diseases like they were the common cold, but I had a hard time even pronouncing any of them again,lol. After making a few phone calls, he pointed out several possabilities for this deers abnormal behavior that he felt were worthy of investigating further without having to put the deer down. One explanation being, illegaly posessed, raised and released, but that wasn't determined true or false at the site. He had seen all he needed to see, and informed me he was just there to make a judgement call on what to do next. After 1 1/2hrs since I placed the initial call, it was obvious this little doe wasn't going anywhere. The DEC officer made one more call and told me someone would be coming out to collect the animal soon. He gave me another card with Laura's number on it and said she'd be the one coming out but didn't say when. Another 1/2 hour passed. Now I've watched 'Swamp People' so I already had a picture painted in my head of the ruff and tough, 300lb, animal wrassler "Laura", who would show up in her safari buggy fully decked out in off road lights and roll bars. I did not get what I expected,lol. When she arrived and assessed the situation, it was clear to see even though she didn't fit my stereotypical visions, she was all bussiness. She grabbed a needle and we tried to get hold of the deer so she could administer the sedative. Her first poke would prove to be her last as the deer quickly wised up and knew we were up to something. It was hard to get close to her any longer and she was making her way through the woods now and into the neighbors yard. My neighbor has a 30'x30'(x7' high) outside dog keenel for their labs so we coralled the deer into there. Now this bugger was bouncing off the fence and scared out of it's mind. Every lunge she made against it to ellude us could have ended bad if one of her hooves got caught in the fence. In the blink of an eye and without warning, Laura pounced on the deer like a WWF wrestler ad picked it up. The deer thrashed and kicked and squirted free so I did my own rendition of her cat like manuever and we flopped on the deer together where she was finally able to administer the sedative! We stepped out of the kennel for about 15 minutes to let the drug take affect then returned to transport her once she calmed down enough. I flipped the camera into 'AUTO' mode and had to pass it off so the pics get a little sloppy now. As you can see, Laura turned out not to be the beastly hulk of a woman I was expecting to wrassle deer with today,lol. We got the deer wrapped in a straigh jacket blanket and it was time to carry her back to the buggy! We finally got her back to the "safari buggy"... also her daily commuter, and I waited for her to prepare to load. You guessed it.... I hope the tranquilizer doesn't wear off any time soon,lol So I like to believe my encounter with this little deer had potentialy saved it's life. At least I know I did the resposible thing to do and the rest is up to the deer and those administering help now. She was taken to a rehab facility where they'll do their thing and hopefully raise her back to being 'wild' and released again. I'll try calling for an update on her progress later in the week and keep you guys posted of the outcome. Who knows, she may have been one of the spotted fawns that followed me around all last spring and summers photo shoots. Regaurdless, she's in good hands now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Wooly.."Environmental Police"?...that right there would make me not call them..lol I'm thinking this deer was bottle fed, we had a neighbor lady raise a buck fawn..and what you described is exactly how that one behaved also, I'd bet it will probably be put in a fenced enclosure/park type area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Wooly.."Environmental Police"?...that right there would make me not call them..lol I'm thinking this deer was bottle fed, we had a neighbor lady raise a buck fawn..and what you described is exactly how that one behaved also, I'd bet it will probably be put in a fenced enclosure/park type area. I know what you mean... the graphics on that truck can be a little intimidating and misleading if you have a guilty concious,lol. Ultimately, I'm happy she now has a fighting chance at survival no matter where she's relocated to assuming she is in good health and survives. This deer would have been the next item on the menu had she run into that den of hungry yotes I found a couple weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Great story Matt, glad to hear the outcome may be a good one. Agree on the yotes, would likely only have been a matter of time. There are some wildlife rehabilitators here who will take in animals, illegal for just anyone to "possess" any wild game. Hit a fawn once when raking hay about 11 years ago that was very much alive, but could not stand up. Our warden picked it up and took it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 You made the right decision Matt, hope the little thing makes a good recovery. Looks like you just need to go out now and find more orphaned animals to get Laura to come back out now. Go find a possum now and call her around 7 just about the time you coincidentally was about to sit down for a nice dinner. Explain how you were an orphan and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Hmmmmmm.... I do have an extra turkey breast in the fridge that needs to be eaten tonight! Maybe I'll call her up and tell her I just found the deers collar,lol Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll update if I hear anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Kind of thought the same as John when I was reading, sounds like some potential.:yes: Good luck in your pursuit there if you follow through Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted May 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Geeze, I dunno guys. I think she would just use me for my critters. How could I let that happen?:whip: I just want the deer back..., that's all!:pop: I feel so violated already,lol:oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Geeze, I dunno guys. I think she would just use me for my critters. How could I let that happen?:whip: I just want the deer back..., that's all!:pop: I feel so violated already,lol:oops: That's funny.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Geeze, I dunno guys. I think she would just use me for my critters. How could I let that happen?:whip: I just want the deer back..., that's all!:pop: I feel so violated already,lol:oops: I just can't get the thought of Ellie Mae from the Beverly hillbillies out of my mind now lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 http://artistkarenking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Ellie-May.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted May 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 http://artistkarenking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Ellie-May.jpg OMG-she has a twin sister!:surrender: I suppose I could spare one or two coyote pups! I better call those 'conservation police' again and turn myself in.:phone: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 A missed aim with that needle and that coulda been you in the back seat with zip ties and wraped in a blanket..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted May 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Ok, ok, enough already...... you guys are gonna get me in trouble here,lol:taped: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 "conservation" didn't bother me..it was the "environmental" part..as Phil Robertson would say.."sounds like a YUPPY organization" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 "conservation" didn't bother me..it was the "environmental" part..as Phil Robertson would say.."sounds like a YUPPY organization" Martin, in the past they were Game Wardens and there job was checking you and me for a hunting and fishing license every now and then. Now our "game Wardens" spend more than 50% of their time monitoring air pollution, water run-off, land fills and toxic waste sites, petroleum and chemical storage. Hence the name Environmental Police. Many years ago they were their own separate entity but now they all go to the Trooper Academy and have become Environmental Troopers. It's very similar to the show Alaska State Troopers but the En Con Officers here get a different uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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