Stolen Trophy!!!

piercfh · January 23, 2008, 08:31 PM

I've heard of hunters having their trophies stolen or hunters buying trophies to claim for their own, and now I have a first hand account to share.

Last friday I took a good friend hunting who hadn't had much luck this year. I put him in a good spot where I had seen alot of bucks lately and he pulled off a shot on a nice 9pt. I had the buck on trail cameras and was hoping to kill him with my bow, but my friend was very excited and I was glad it went to him. The buck had a 19 inch inside spread and was the biggest deer he had ever killed.

After recovering the buck we ate supper and headed to the processor. I would normally cape my own deer, but he wanted to have the processor do it. He also called a taxidermist friend and told him he'd be in soon with the caped out head. We went back to pick up the cape and were looking forward to seeing the taxidermist, but the processor couldn't find the buck. They said it was probably still being caped out and to come back tomorrow. They called that night and said it was nowhere to be found and had to have been stolen from their cooler. This is a very credible processor, and my friend has a lot of trust in them and their word.

Heres a picture of the deer if anyone in the alabama area happens to see it at a taxidermist. All the local ones have been informed and are keeping an eye out. Let me know if you have any information even though it may be a shot in the dark. [email protected] 334-201-0823 thanks.

Wayward_Son · January 23, 2008, 09:42 PM

That's a damn shame. There are some really lousy people in this world.

Fremmer · January 23, 2008, 11:05 PM

Wow, that really blows.

That processor is in trouble.

piercfh · January 24, 2008, 12:01 AM

I have to agree there are some lousy people out there. My friend doesn't blame the processor, and he said they are just as upset as he is. They determined someone walked into the processor (their backyard) and drug the deer off.

Art Eatman · January 24, 2008, 09:17 AM

Print a bunch of copies of that picture and mail them to the taxidermists in your area, along with the details.

davlandrum · January 24, 2008, 11:42 AM

If they take it to a taxidermist, won't they have to have a tag attached? When I drop mine off (not that common of an event...

). They cut off the tag that is taped to the rack and compare the info on it to my license.

Maybe not all are that careful, but they do have a legal responsibility to make sure it wasn't poached.

Of course the flaw is if they actually had a tag and replaced yours...

They would have to be pretty bold to take it to a taxidermist, but they were obviously bold enough to steal it out of someones backyard...

BrunoNorway · January 24, 2008, 11:45 AM

thats realy low-life if sombody steels a trophy...

thats like steel someons foto-album...

that guy who sole it are probetly to incmpitent to kill one for him self...
i would feel embareced if i would buy one, and even more if i would steel one...

i hope you get it back...

elrod · January 24, 2008, 12:23 PM

Have you notified the news media? That's how those guys got caught that shot the deer out of Mr. Newells yard in Montgomery several years ago were caught. I would think a story with the photo you posted would be clipped and kept in taxidermists shops all over Al. I'll sure keep it in mind in Elmore Co.

Reyn · January 26, 2008, 12:30 PM

I would be pissed.Especially being his biggest yet. I shot my biggest Dec31 here in N alabama. It had a 20in spread and is the first deer im having mounted.I would be IRATE if it came up gone.

Did the whole deer get taken or was it already caped out? At my processor it would almost have to be an employee.

onlybrowning · January 26, 2008, 06:24 PM

"If they take it to a taxidermist, won't they have to have a tag attached? When I drop mine off (not that common of an event...). They cut off the tag that is taped to the rack and compare the info on it to my license."

There are no tags in Alabama that I am aware of. Two deer per day IIRC. That is too bad that someone would do that. I also second the idea of copies of that picture to bring to taxidermists.

Reyn · January 26, 2008, 07:30 PM

It use to be a buck a day til this year and now you can harvest 3 bucks total for the season. One of the 3 has to have at least 4pts on one side. When you get your license your supposed to fill out the tag on it before you move the deer.Nothing is attached to the deer.

If you get caught with the buck and the tag isnt filled on your license you are in trouble. My processor has a sign stating you need ID but ive never had them ask me for it.

At this point it's really hard to enforce the new law. If your transporting one for someone you are supposed to have all their info including date/time/ name/ location etc.

GATMOG · January 28, 2008, 04:03 AM

A trophy is a very personal thing, anyone with a sense of pride and honor would have no interest in claiming someone else's...

A darn shame.. I really hope you guys recover it!

crc1514 · January 30, 2008, 04:51 PM

i know a guy who's cousin killed a 170" whitetail with a 24" spread in the early 80's. exact same thing happened at the locker. about 5 years ago (approx. 20 years later) my friend got a phone call from a guy who said he had a deer rack that he thought was his. he put him in touch with his cousin and the rack was returned to the rightful owner. the guy claimed it wasn't him that took it, but knew the guy who did and after hearing the story convinced him to give it back. probably doesn't make you or your friend feel any better, but there is always a chance.

davlandrum · January 30, 2008, 05:03 PM

They are pretty picky about documentation here in Oregon. My buddy and I always write out a "transport tag" with all the info on it if we have to transport for the other. I got checked a couple of years ago taking 2 deer (mine and his) to his house to cut up. They even have an official form in the regs, but as long as you got the all the info and a signature, I think you are good to go.

Reyn · January 31, 2008, 04:03 PM

I just saw another thread on an archery forum where the guys bow kill was stolen from his taxidermist. It was like 150 class. His taxidermist also offered a reward.

sparkysteve · February 15, 2008, 11:02 PM

That's a shame. I hope he finds it. My mounts are some of my prized possesions.

Rembrandt · February 16, 2008, 08:08 PM

Similar situation with the former world record Jim Jordan buck.....shot it in 1914 and left the rack with a taxidermist. A year later he checks in with the taxidermist and discovers he'd moved and the rack is gone. Disappears for over 50 years and shows up at a garage sale for $3. Jordan died at 86 short of receiving recognition from B&C by two months.

Hopefully you won't have to wait 50 years like Jim Jordan.

UniversalFrost · February 20, 2008, 01:30 PM

read a similiar thing about a close to world record non typical. The guy had it hanging in his back yard and somebody went in at night and sawed off the head.

Taxedermist a few states away read the article (think it was in outdoor life or fur fish and game) and compared photo in the mag to a rack he was doing for some rich guy and it was the same buck. Rich guy admitted to police that he had bought the rack from some folks off the net. Don't know if they ever tracked the guys down, but the guy got the rack back at least.

Did have a guy try to claim my kill once. I shot it with a bow during the rifle season (bow and rifle run the same time in SD). Tracked the sucker about 500 yards and a couple hours and find this guy gutting in. He claimed he killed it and I said funny there is no bullet wound (he had a rifle and rifle permit). No bullet fragments either. He was without words but still said he killed it. I said fine then lets explain it to the guy that owns the land that you are trespassing on. He said he had permission and I said that was interesting since my family owned the land and I was the only person who had permission to hunt the land. At that point he gets antsy and I was worrying he might try something stupid so I made darn sure he saw the colt detective snubby holster on my belt. he eventually helped to finsh field dressing and then helped to drag the deer back to my truck. At that point I said he could finish hunting, and told him some good spots , but where to not hunt (near the cows and also where I was rifle hunting

).

Anyway, guy never came back to hunt those areas. Never saw him again.

Hope you get the guys that took the deer.

JOE

Gbro · February 20, 2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

so I made darn sure he saw the colt detective snubby holster on my belt.

Not a bad idea,
Minnesota law states no firearms, even CCP's are not recognized by MN DNR! during Archery Deer.

UniversalFrost · February 20, 2008, 02:08 PM

good for minnesota (especially since you will most likely hunt on public land). I was hunting in SD on private land.

Big difference! Different states and Different Laws.

Here is the link to the SD hunting regs. See page 36 for archery deer laws.

http://www.sdgfp.info/Publications/HuntingHandbook.pdf

davlandrum · February 20, 2008, 02:37 PM

Oregon changed the regs a few years ago (can't remember exactly - maybe 5) so that you can carry a handgun during archery season. Basically it was changed because it ran counter to right-to-carry. The regs do specifically warn about using it illegally.

7mm-08 · July 1, 2008, 08:56 AM

I feel for your friend as I also took my deer to the taxidermist to be mounted.Took it in mid Nov. he said it would be ready by March.So March I go see how things are going with the mount,and he had moved.I finally tracked him down via facebook he said he was just finishing up all the mounts as he just split with his wife,moved the shop into a relatives garage.That was the last I have heard from him.Tried e-mailing him a couple times but no response.
This guy was a aquaintence of mine who I had worked with and shot the **** with from time to time,Might have lost my $150.00 deposit also.

January 24, 2008, 11:42 AM	#6
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	If they take it to a taxidermist, won't they have to have a tag attached? When I drop mine off (not that common of an event...). They cut off the tag that is taped to the rack and compare the info on it to my license. Maybe not all are that careful, but they do have a legal responsibility to make sure it wasn't poached. Of course the flaw is if they actually had a tag and replaced yours... They would have to be pretty bold to take it to a taxidermist, but they were obviously bold enough to steal it out of someones backyard... __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

January 24, 2008, 11:45 AM	#7
BrunoNorway Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: Hedmark, Norway Posts: 380	thats realy low-life if sombody steels a trophy... thats like steel someons foto-album... that guy who sole it are probetly to incmpitent to kill one for him self... i would feel embareced if i would buy one, and even more if i would steel one... i hope you get it back... __________________ ☧ IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

January 24, 2008, 12:23 PM	#8
elrod Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2007 Location: Heart of the heart of Dixie Posts: 234	Have you notified the news media? That's how those guys got caught that shot the deer out of Mr. Newells yard in Montgomery several years ago were caught. I would think a story with the photo you posted would be clipped and kept in taxidermists shops all over Al. I'll sure keep it in mind in Elmore Co. __________________ Freedom ain't free!

January 28, 2008, 04:03 AM	#12
GATMOG Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2007 Location: OREGON Posts: 221	A trophy is a very personal thing, anyone with a sense of pride and honor would have no interest in claiming someone else's... A darn shame.. I really hope you guys recover it! __________________ *BEWARE OF ATTACK REPUBLICAN*

January 30, 2008, 05:03 PM	#14
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	They are pretty picky about documentation here in Oregon. My buddy and I always write out a "transport tag" with all the info on it if we have to transport for the other. I got checked a couple of years ago taking 2 deer (mine and his) to his house to cut up. They even have an official form in the regs, but as long as you got the all the info and a signature, I think you are good to go. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

January 23, 2008, 09:42 PM	#2
Wayward_Son Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 406	That's a damn shame. There are some really lousy people in this world.

January 23, 2008, 11:05 PM	#3
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	Wow, that really blows. That processor is in trouble.

January 24, 2008, 12:01 AM	#4
piercfh Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 183	I have to agree there are some lousy people out there. My friend doesn't blame the processor, and he said they are just as upset as he is. They determined someone walked into the processor (their backyard) and drug the deer off.

January 24, 2008, 09:17 AM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Print a bunch of copies of that picture and mail them to the taxidermists in your area, along with the details.

January 26, 2008, 12:30 PM	#9
Reyn Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2005 Posts: 115	I would be pissed.Especially being his biggest yet. I shot my biggest Dec31 here in N alabama. It had a 20in spread and is the first deer im having mounted.I would be IRATE if it came up gone. Did the whole deer get taken or was it already caped out? At my processor it would almost have to be an employee.

January 26, 2008, 06:24 PM	#10
onlybrowning Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 275	"If they take it to a taxidermist, won't they have to have a tag attached? When I drop mine off (not that common of an event...). They cut off the tag that is taped to the rack and compare the info on it to my license." There are no tags in Alabama that I am aware of. Two deer per day IIRC. That is too bad that someone would do that. I also second the idea of copies of that picture to bring to taxidermists.

January 26, 2008, 07:30 PM	#11
Reyn Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2005 Posts: 115	It use to be a buck a day til this year and now you can harvest 3 bucks total for the season. One of the 3 has to have at least 4pts on one side. When you get your license your supposed to fill out the tag on it before you move the deer.Nothing is attached to the deer. If you get caught with the buck and the tag isnt filled on your license you are in trouble. My processor has a sign stating you need ID but ive never had them ask me for it. At this point it's really hard to enforce the new law. If your transporting one for someone you are supposed to have all their info including date/time/ name/ location etc.

January 30, 2008, 04:51 PM	#13
crc1514 Junior Member Join Date: January 30, 2008 Location: KANSAS Posts: 7	i know a guy who's cousin killed a 170" whitetail with a 24" spread in the early 80's. exact same thing happened at the locker. about 5 years ago (approx. 20 years later) my friend got a phone call from a guy who said he had a deer rack that he thought was his. he put him in touch with his cousin and the rack was returned to the rightful owner. the guy claimed it wasn't him that took it, but knew the guy who did and after hearing the story convinced him to give it back. probably doesn't make you or your friend feel any better, but there is always a chance.

January 31, 2008, 04:03 PM	#15
Reyn Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2005 Posts: 115	I just saw another thread on an archery forum where the guys bow kill was stolen from his taxidermist. It was like 150 class. His taxidermist also offered a reward.

February 15, 2008, 11:02 PM	#16
sparkysteve Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Location: Byron Center, Michigan Posts: 418	That's a shame. I hope he finds it. My mounts are some of my prized possesions. __________________ I have ADHD........Attention, Defficit, Hey there goes a squirrel! Dont tread on me.

February 16, 2008, 08:08 PM	#17
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Similar situation with the former world record Jim Jordan buck.....shot it in 1914 and left the rack with a taxidermist. A year later he checks in with the taxidermist and discovers he'd moved and the rack is gone. Disappears for over 50 years and shows up at a garage sale for $3. Jordan died at 86 short of receiving recognition from B&C by two months. Hopefully you won't have to wait 50 years like Jim Jordan.

February 20, 2008, 01:30 PM	#18
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	read a similiar thing about a close to world record non typical. The guy had it hanging in his back yard and somebody went in at night and sawed off the head. Taxedermist a few states away read the article (think it was in outdoor life or fur fish and game) and compared photo in the mag to a rack he was doing for some rich guy and it was the same buck. Rich guy admitted to police that he had bought the rack from some folks off the net. Don't know if they ever tracked the guys down, but the guy got the rack back at least. Did have a guy try to claim my kill once. I shot it with a bow during the rifle season (bow and rifle run the same time in SD). Tracked the sucker about 500 yards and a couple hours and find this guy gutting in. He claimed he killed it and I said funny there is no bullet wound (he had a rifle and rifle permit). No bullet fragments either. He was without words but still said he killed it. I said fine then lets explain it to the guy that owns the land that you are trespassing on. He said he had permission and I said that was interesting since my family owned the land and I was the only person who had permission to hunt the land. At that point he gets antsy and I was worrying he might try something stupid so I made darn sure he saw the colt detective snubby holster on my belt. he eventually helped to finsh field dressing and then helped to drag the deer back to my truck. At that point I said he could finish hunting, and told him some good spots , but where to not hunt (near the cows and also where I was rifle hunting ). Anyway, guy never came back to hunt those areas. Never saw him again. Hope you get the guys that took the deer. JOE __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

February 20, 2008, 02:08 PM	#20
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	good for minnesota (especially since you will most likely hunt on public land). I was hunting in SD on private land. Big difference! Different states and Different Laws. Here is the link to the SD hunting regs. See page 36 for archery deer laws. http://www.sdgfp.info/Publications/HuntingHandbook.pdf __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

February 20, 2008, 02:37 PM	#21
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Oregon changed the regs a few years ago (can't remember exactly - maybe 5) so that you can carry a handgun during archery season. Basically it was changed because it ran counter to right-to-carry. The regs do specifically warn about using it illegally. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 1, 2008, 08:56 AM	#22
7mm-08 Member Join Date: February 17, 2006 Location: Selkirk,Manitoba Posts: 43	I feel for your friend as I also took my deer to the taxidermist to be mounted.Took it in mid Nov. he said it would be ready by March.So March I go see how things are going with the mount,and he had moved.I finally tracked him down via facebook he said he was just finishing up all the mounts as he just split with his wife,moved the shop into a relatives garage.That was the last I have heard from him.Tried e-mailing him a couple times but no response. This guy was a aquaintence of mine who I had worked with and shot the **** with from time to time,Might have lost my $150.00 deposit also.