Editor,
I wanted to share a real life scenario that recently occurred locally that I think shows just how the weak economy is affecting the citizens of this country. I will leave out names of people and agencies as well as specific locations so that no one gets into any trouble.
A few weeks ago in one of the lower eastern shore counties a law enforcement officer observed a vehicle shining a light across a field and seemed to be panning the field. The officer immediatley located the vehicle, a pick-up truck, and identified two male passengers in their late twenties - early thirties. In the back of the truck were two .30-.30 rifles and a couple of male deer they had shot. Anyone who knows anything about deer (most hunters) know that most bucks have shed their antlers already and the does are well on their way to bearing young. These two were apparently very careful to leave the pregnant does alone. Upon running a check on the occupants , the officer learned that neither had ever been arrested before. The officer questioned the subjects and learned that both had recently lost their jobs. They were hunting deer illegally to put food on their tables. Hunger knows nothing of man made hunting seasons. Rather than seizing the truck, rifles, and deer, the officer let them go and told them to feed their families. It has begun. The need to revert back to the most basic forms of survival has started for some. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to soon see two or three men harvesting deer in larger quantities and handing them out to families of lesser means and no way to go out and hunt for themselves.
The law knows nothing of human hardship. It often doesn't take into consideration natures first law - the law of self preservation and preservation of your family. But this very human officer apparently knows it well. The discretion exhibited by this officer should be commended and only he knows who he is. To expose his name and agency could expose him to administrative repercussions. I fear that the current financial situation of our nation will quickly reduce many of us to this type of behavior just to survive. Will all officers recognize it for what it is and exercise discretion appropriately?
Anonymous Citizen
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
18 comments:
Does anyone know whether it is illegal in Salisbury to plant tomatoes or other vegetables in the front yard. I have two dogs and they need my back yard. What can I do. I am not making enough money, so instead of flowers this year, I planning to have a vegetable garden.
Thanks!
The states allow you to HARVEST quite a few deer during legal deer seasons because the population is so big, firing a 30/30 across a dark field isnt very safe. I think you could HARVEST enough during regular deer season to have enough meat to get you to the next deer season.
Anon 9:58 I would think if you can grow flowers you can grow food. I would also think someone would be pretty hard pressed to put you up on a code violation for making an attempt at feeding yourself and your family.
Doug, while many hunt for sport there are few that hunt out of necessity. We have always hunted to fill the freezer, not so much out of necessity as it is out of tradition. We also never take more than we need. While the states keep screaming about overpopulation I would agree to some degree. We are over populated with people not deer. Everytime a new development goes up the habitat of many wild animals is disrupted then people want to cry about it. I would never consider shooting 4 deer during the season just because I can. Take no more than you need and leave some for others in need. Greed is what got this economy in the tank, let's not be greedy with wildlife as well. The reprecussions could be devastating.
Growing a garden is usually dictated by homeowner's association regs. We have a lot of trees out back, so we put the tomatoes in big pots so they looked more like flowers. They grew OK. We stuck them on the side where they weren't too visible and got plenty of sun. I'll be planting more this year, I can tell you that!
10:43, I Harvested four this year,(2 Bucks and 2 Does). One went in my freezer, one went to my wifes parents,(her stuffed peppers with venicine are unreal) and two went to charity. There are quite a few butchers who will give you a reduced price if the meat is donated to charity. Its a good thing to do. The deer population on the eastern shore is out of control, especially the does. If you need the meat to feed your family there are a lot of farmers that have crop damage tags, maybe that would be a better solution to the problem.
Deer can be legally taken during the farming months via crop permits, one just needs to approach the farmers in the area and make the arrangements. Shooting hours remain daylight hours only. Spotlighting is illegal and dangerous. Follow the law, it's there for a reason.
Wait until after dark, go down Pemberton Drive in the area of Crooked Oak Lane and wait. At least one deer is hit every night. Pick it up and take it home. Unfortunately, most of the ones that are hit just lay there and the buzzzards get them. Some hungary family could use that deer meat.
Time for the hoards of geese to start disappearing.They fed a lot of use back when.
I bet if that officer went to the homes of these men he would find beer, cigarettes, chew, a rebel flag, food in the frdge. i would have driven to these mens homes and checked the story out. Some are selling deer for profit. Shooting a high powered rifle accross another mans land is crimnal.
I see no foul in feeding the needy there are food banks and Hunter's Feeding The Hungry.
How old are these two men and who are they related to is the real question. If their story is true i see the need. How many are they feeding ? maybe a little less time riding around poaching and looking for work is in order. I dont know what kind of job these men lost but that might also help the story out a bit. They were selling deer for 40 a pop to chinese rest. in D.C. last year. Poaching is a profitable business for some. If my kid is starving I dont really care what sex or age I shoot. I dont know who posted this story but as paul harvey would say "I need the rest of the story" before I pat anyone on the back or believe thses men were in that dire need.
Breaking the law of the land is never the answer.
9:58 I grow three different kings of tomatoes, red & green bell peppers and misc types of herbs instead of growing flowers in my front, back and side yards. Mixed in with them are marigolds, morning glories and petunias which help keep the bugs away. I've never had a problem with anyone telling me I can't grow vegies instead of flowers. With things as bad as they are right now I imagine there will be many more gardens this summer than previous years. Good Luck!
Anon 12:57
Breaking the law of the land is never the answer? So I guess starving is? Watch whats going on around you. Food banks are tapped. Jobs are scarce. Not everyone fills their tags during the season. I'll tell you what. If my kids were starving, wildlife regulations would be the LEAST of my worries.
4:00 pm,
Crop permits are free!
If i pulled up on them they would get a bed and three squares a day. I still dont believe the kids were starving. If anyone knows these men put it out there, I am sure there are hunters with freezers full of meat that would help. I also know of many churches that would help. To ride around at night with a rifle shooting deer is reckless. So save the B/S it is not just the law of the land it is human law. The land, the deer belong to someone else. Crop permits are free.
So if they brak into your home steal your money and your food it is o.k.? I bet not.
Where did these two men run into such bad luck together. Hmmm. It just does not sound right to me.
I have nothing against the cop. It just seems someone should have checked these guys story out. Maybe he or she did. I think there is just more to this. Who posted it. i would love them to speak more on the matter. I know i would help these men and I do not know them. They are no good to their family in jail.
On the food bank comment maybe Joe can help he did great things with the Salvation Army this year. I am sure all those that helped with brooke would help anyone some are about doing the right thing. The Officer could also pass the names of these men anonymously to social services they can give aid in cases like this. We all pay taxes for that reason. Let it help those that do truly need it.
I would not want to be out on my land and have someone shoot. It could end in the loss of life and it woud not be mine. It is a bad call.
We all can give a little to help our fellow man. The act of lawlessness never leads to good things.
This story is so far fetched it sounds fishy at best. First of all if they have no job they should hunt during the day or at safer times of the day. Shining a light across a field and shooting deer at night is just plain STUPID. There are other ways of feeding your family and this is not it. Game laws have been made much tougher here in Maryland because of actions like this. What these two men were doing is called poaching and it is illegal for a reason. Further why do they need to be greedy and take two deer when one could feed their families for a couple of weeks. My son and I hunt and harvest deer legally and I find it very annoying that you seem to think actions like you are describing in your story to be acceptable. There are many organizations in this area that will help you find food to feed your family but(poaching) breaking the law is no better than stealing or shoplifting from a grocery store. The full extent and punishment of the law should have been taken in this case. I see your story as a story of greed in this case , Had they just been trying to feed their family only one gun was needed as well as only one deer at a time. The police officer that caught them should be punished as well for not doing what he is being paid to do and that is to uphold the law.
Anyone who thinks deer are not overpopulated really doesnt get out much.I have to dodge them almost every time I come and go down my road at night.have even had herds of them in my side yard.Turkeys too.While its dangerous to shoot at night,I think there should be more generous deer " allowances" and longer seasons.Its alot better than seeing them starve in the winter or get pulverized by vehicles.
Man,guess what, if they are out of a job and with out food, where did the money come from to pay for the ammo? If they have money for ammo, then they have money for food. What they did was totally illegal, and they put a bad rep on hunters. I hunt myself and I see crazy actions from "stupid" hunters, what they did was totally uncalled for. If they needed food, they should of just asked someone or go out and hunt properly. Not go out and use a spot light and hunt deer. By the way, probably another reason they were spotlighting was there is a bet out for who ever can shoot deer and not get caught. That is what I heard.
7:38- 20 rounds of 30-30 bullets about 15 dollars,been to the grocery store lately...you dont get much for $15. a well placed round in the vitals of a deer can put 50 -75 lbs of healthy venison on the table/freezer
Anonymous said...
"I bet if that officer went to the homes of these men he would find beer, cigarettes, chew, a rebel flag, food in the frdge"
WOW! You just insulted my rebel ways. Flying the reble flag for all to see.
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