F&G asking for my Pictures of Harvested Deer?

tailchaser · 03-11-2008, 11:06 AM

I had an interesting thing happen last night. Colorado F&G officer called my wife and questioned her about the deer she shot during the 3rd Rifle Season last year when we were there. He seemed nice enough and since we were legal where we shot our deer wasn't a big deal. But at the end mentioned if we would send him pictures of the deer we shot to rule us out of what he was looking for? This perked my interest. So I got home and called him to ask why? Supposedly, someone shot a large buck 7x9 in the area we were hunting and only took the head and he's ruling out people that said they filled thier tags in that unit. Seemed nice enough and I sent them a couple of minutes later, but questioned why later in the evening.

One, we were checked by a gamey with our deer hanging in a meat locker while I was skinning my wife's buck. So there is record of that where we had our (enire body) of the deer.
Two, my wifes buck apparently was on private property earlier in the morning, so some guy says, but was shot 400 yards from the fenceline. He was kinda bent out of shape because he left the area thinking the deer was long gone, when we walked through he was 100% fair game and died from it. Nothing short of luck on our part.
Three, if you're going to question someone about an illegally killed deer, you're not going to offer up what you're really calling about, i.e. "a 7x9 poached deer that had it's head cut off," Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that one officer, that was me.....kind of thing.
Four, I'm not interested in my picture and my wifes being included in a lineup of did you see this guy, kind of thing. By the way we're investigating poaching and these could be suspects.....not exactly what I want my picture to be a part of.
Finally, I could be over reacting and the officer could have been honest with me, but he declined to say where or when it happened, so I know he wasn't telling me everything. Anyone else have this happen to them? How did it turn out? Or am I just skeptical about what he's looking for? The only thing I don't like is being involved with an investigation with my picture somewhere within it. Makes it look bad when a guy looks at the latest Western Hunter Magazine and says, "Hey, that guy just wrote an article last month" type of deal. I don't like my name or picture anywhere around crooks of any sort.

tc

ehunter · 03-11-2008, 11:21 AM

I think unless they go though the court and require you to you don't unless he agrees to be totaly honest. I wonder if the land owner is claiming you shot the deer on his land? Good luck hope you didn't apply there this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

I had an interesting thing happen last night. Colorado F&G officer called my wife and questioned her about the deer she shot during the 3rd Rifle Season last year when we were there. He seemed nice enough and since we were legal where we shot our deer wasn't a big deal. But at the end mentioned if we would send him pictures of the deer we shot to rule us out of what he was looking for? This perked my interest. So I got home and called him to ask why? Supposedly, someone shot a large buck 7x9 in the area we were hunting and only took the head and he's ruling out people that said they filled thier tags in that unit. Seemed nice enough and I sent them a couple of minutes later, but questioned why later in the evening.

One, we were checked by a gamey with our deer hanging in a meat locker while I was skinning my wife's buck. So there is record of that where we had our (enire body) of the deer.
Two, my wifes buck apparently was on private property earlier in the morning, so some guy says, but was shot 400 yards from the fenceline. He was kinda bent out of shape because he left the area thinking the deer was long gone, when we walked through he was 100% fair game and died from it. Nothing short of luck on our part.
Three, if you're going to question someone about an illegally killed deer, you're not going to offer up what you're really calling about, i.e. "a 7x9 poached deer that had it's head cut off," Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that one officer, that was me.....kind of thing.
Four, I'm not interested in my picture and my wifes being included in a lineup of did you see this guy, kind of thing. By the way we're investigating poaching and these could be suspects.....not exactly what I want my picture to be a part of.
Finally, I could be over reacting and the officer could have been honest with me, but he declined to say where or when it happened, so I know he wasn't telling me everything. Anyone else have this happen to them? How did it turn out? Or am I just skeptical about what he's looking for? The only thing I don't like is being involved with an investigation with my picture somewhere within it. Makes it look bad when a guy looks at the latest Western Hunter Magazine and says, "Hey, that guy just wrote an article last month" type of deal. I don't like my name or picture anywhere around crooks of any sort.

tc

nobrownline · 03-11-2008, 11:35 AM

Boy sounds a little wierd to me. I might call back and ask him again or ask for his boss.

Killertraylor · 03-11-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobrownline

Boy sounds a little wierd to me. I might call back and ask him again or ask for his boss.

Once the conversation started to sound like a criminal investigation, I'd tell him sorry, but I'd like to talk to a lawyer and politely hang up. It can only get worse for you by talking and I wouldn't trust him as he initiated his call under false pretenses.

baltz526 · 03-11-2008, 12:42 PM

i'll guess that your license plate was recorded in the area of the poaching, like he told you, if your photo is not of the known poached animal, i would not worry about it.. but do not volunteer any further evidence

WSU · 03-11-2008, 12:47 PM

I'm would help with the investigation until it in any way turned to me. Law enforcement doesn't get information from people by telling them they are being investigated. Once it turns towards me, the conversation is over. The idea that you have nothing to hide unless you did something wrong if flawed. Here, you don't know if the land owner is saying you trespassed or what. Nothing to gain from giving any extra information. That said, the likelihood of anything coming of this seems low.

Yeti · 03-11-2008, 12:50 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. There is the possibility that the land owner filed a flase report and they are collecting information. As you stated you were checked while skinning your buck so you are automatically a low probability suspect. If they ask more questions let them know you would be happy to help out in any way. But also express your concerns about your privacy. If the farmer is blowing smoke up thier rears then maybe you could turn it around on him by helping them out.

BTW, I just received an email from a friend saying I was on the ODFW web site. Sure enough there is a pictuer of one of my clients with a nice steely. I still don't know how they got it. Probably old timers setting in.

Jeremy · 03-11-2008, 12:59 PM

they are probably looking for a picture that the landowner can use to show that you were on his property, since it sounds like you werent you should be ok, but hopefully there is good proof in the picture that he cant say that the tree in the background looks like the one that he has!!!

seadog · 03-11-2008, 03:54 PM

Sounds fishy to me. The story about the poached 7x9 sounds made up, how do they know it was a 7x9 if the head was missing? hoofprints? Sounds like he is looking for picture proof that you were trespassing or something. He calls you with a bogus story and hopes you innocently send him proof that you may have been somewhere you shouldn't have?? I wouldn't "help" anymore if I were you. Hopefully they get the poacher they are looking for and you don't hear anymore about it.

DAB · 03-11-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killertraylor

Once the conversation started to sound like a criminal investigation, I'd tell him sorry, but I'd like to talk to a lawyer and politely hang up. It can only get worse for you by talking and I wouldn't trust him as he initiated his call under false pretenses.

Tailchaser,

Any advice that Killertraylor gives you is the kind that you can take to the bank.
DAB

Killertraylor · 03-11-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seadog

Sounds fishy to me. The story about the poached 7x9 sounds made up, how do they know it was a 7x9 if the head was missing? hoofprints?

That's awesome.

salmonfisher77 · 03-11-2008, 04:33 PM

What picture? Dont give them anything!!!

sandman · 03-11-2008, 07:13 PM

If you were legal,you have nothing to worry about!

GDuck · 03-11-2008, 08:30 PM

The gamies in that State don't have the best reputation. There are some OSP troops that will attest to that. The fact he doesn't have OSP come speak to you in person tells me all I need to know. This thing stinks. Someone is trying to "do" you, so provide them nothing.

GD

Wheels · 03-11-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killertraylor

That's awesome.

The only thing I could think of is that if this is truly about a poached 7x9, maybe the buck was hanging out on private land prior to the season and it was a well known buck................maybe meant for a certain client.......anyway, the buck turns up missing out of a group of several does and now a headless carcass is found????????????? who knows. Wheels.

Gun Rod Bow · 03-11-2008, 08:49 PM

It is possible they are investigating a poached 7x9 that was known on private ground and they found a carcass and the troph vanished. Like you said, you were checked.

Also possible they were investigating a tresspass claim.

Tresspass is what Colorado is ALLL about.

I wouldn't be shocked if a P/O'd landowner (from Cali or Texas) made a false calim about you.

Either way, you guys are clear.

I wouldn't like being lied to either, but...gathering evidence is what cops do. With deception often.

Duckwheat · 03-12-2008, 06:26 AM

I would not give them a thing. That sounds like a joke, his rationale. Most likely a poacher would not have had a tag. If he is going to poach a animal and take the head only, why worry about the legality of getting a license.

I think the land owner is pushing the issue to give you some grief.

I would not communicate any more with them. If they insist get an attorney.

DW

scottishsetter · 03-12-2008, 07:34 AM

Did he show or fax you his Badge? I wouldn't give out anything over the net. OSP should contact you to get the info. Was it legit?

alaskan · 03-12-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandman

If you were legal,you have nothing to worry about!

If that were only true.

Don't offer any information unless you are charged, then only if you have a lawyer. Remember they are trained in obtaining information,even if they have to be dishonest, but if you say anything dishonest, even accidentaly, it can be used against you.

Quack Attack · 03-12-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandman

If you were legal,you have nothing to worry about!

I have an $1100 canceled check that proves otherwise. Fortunately none of that went to the state police.

The whole court system is a game, and it costs big bucks to play, regardless of innocence.

Best idea... "I'm sorry, but I am not inclined to give that information. Am I required to? No, well then no thank you."

scottishsetter · 03-12-2008, 10:54 AM

I'm sorry but I have to ask again... How are you positive that your internet contact IS Law enforcement?

tailchaser · 03-12-2008, 03:25 PM

Quasi update,

I called and verified with the local area office that he indeed is an enforcement officer. However, is on the eastern portion of the state, and only helps in this area from time to time. Secondly, I called him to state he is welcome to use my pictures for the proceedings of ruling me out of something illegal, but does not have my permission to use it within a lineup so to speak or to show publically. The thing I dislike about it is simple, I've written some articles out there and locally in the W. US recently. I do not want to have someone see my face in a magazine and then see it on a lineup that I might be involved within an investigation.

He has yet to call back and mention I'm ok with everything and thanks for giving the information. We'll see if I even get that call but I'm not waiting by the phone for it. Might be the last time I offer anything up though. So unless I hear something again, I'm dropping it from being an issue, but we'll see.

tc

Gun Rod Bow · 03-13-2008, 01:41 PM

And just for the record.

I have hunted big game with TC and he is a straight shooter.

His family has a law enforcement backgound. He's not the kind to jump fences or bend rules.

Wheels · 03-13-2008, 03:29 PM

Oh Man....................

Just got an update from Tailchaser...............I am sure he will fill you all in after he takes care of his court troubles and legal battle with the state of Colorado....................

Sounds like they threw the book at him !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wheels.

No Fences · 03-13-2008, 03:39 PM

On what grounds? It all sounds a little far fetched. I think someone else called it the way I see it, some rancher had a high dollar $$$ tag sold for this buck and TC get it on public ground. Too bad for the rancher. He must have the gamies in his back pocket.

TC, I hope you win!

I remember this happening around Tumalo years ago with a huge bull. A landowner had some high dollar trespass fee sold to this guy from ouit of state and the elk wandered off the property. Well, the herd bull didn't make too far before some average joe shot it. The land owner wanted to charge him for his tresspass fee losses.

They may own the land, but not the animals.

Rank Amateur · 03-13-2008, 03:49 PM

If that is the case, I would be turning the tables, time for a law suit. Again if this is the case (fee hunt outfit ticked because their buck got shot on public land) this shows why commercialization of wildlife can be bad and how they can unfairly turn public land into private. Who wants to hunt too close to one of those opperations and having this kind of grief?

I hope all turns out well.

Yeti · 03-13-2008, 04:00 PM

Hopefully the F&W will do a dna test on the steaks in the freezer and off the mount. It would seem a little difficult to prove he took the head only if he has the matching steaks in the freezer.

tailchaser · 03-13-2008, 04:40 PM

Thanks Bro......way to get the pot stirred! Wheels is my brother in law FYI....

The conclusion is pretty simple, I'm guilty. Just kidding. But the officer did call me today: Here's what happened:

After we got the deer, the road was the border between this person's land and the public land. His fence was on the left side. When we had the deer next to the truck we decided to gut the deer there instead of taking it into town whole. There is some thought to this because transporting game across state lines you won't be able to have it whole anyhow and the butcher shop had a place to dispose of carcasses. So I was thinking about stringing him up there and pulling off quarters. To make a long story short I didn't want to worry about the heat and spoilage, so I gutted it there. I guess the landowner came by later that day to see a gutpile by the road with blood all over. He called F&G and they proceeded to investigate. Finally, they got to me.

When I got the call today he said he would respect my wishes and coming clean to what he's investigating and that was me. It was actually my wife since she shot the buck, but wanted to hear what we had to say on the matter. I told him what happened, he called my wife seperately on the cell phone, and after comparing stories decided not to pursue it any longer.

During discussion though I did learn a troubling thing about Colorado, the landowners are NOT required to post thier land and if you get caught on it, it's an automatic 20 points and a tresspass fee. Even if the land isn't fenced! The 20 points means no hunting in the western US for 2 years. In all the officer was nice, outside of trying to lure me into saying something wrong, but it's his job. Anyhow, a weight off my back. Anyone who has been scrutinized by this stuff knows it's no fun even when you're not hiding anything, you almost feel like a criminal being questioned.

tc

tikkahunter · 03-13-2008, 05:07 PM

oregon is the same in that landowners are neo required to post their land and it is a felony if they catch you and want to prosecute . it is criminal tresspass .

scottishsetter · 03-13-2008, 05:13 PM

Are you sure that criminal trespass w/ fireare is a felony? I suppose it should be. two years/ $2500
Carrying tracer ammo into Calif. is a felony.
Glad that reasonable minds took hold in this case.
This private land hunt stuff happens in Fox Valley here in Ore. They patrol with planes. Don't get caught.

tikkahunter · 03-13-2008, 05:31 PM

yes if you have a gun and are on someones place w/o permission it is according to several state troopers the synopsis states."hunt on any cultivated land of another without permission.enclosed land may be bounded by a fence,ditch,water or any other line indicating separation from surronding territory."

stlhdr1 · 03-13-2008, 05:41 PM

Something is certainly off base here... Wasn't hunting season 4-5 months ago? Seems like it would have been something that was handled months ago.

Keith

Gun Rod Bow · 03-13-2008, 08:12 PM

Funny Wheels.

Glad it's over.

Colo is no joke on trespass. Kinda makes you not want to hunt there...but there is 1,000 Yahooos waiting for your spot.