BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[hiker45]

My friend and I were hunting deer (F, with licenses, on public land), and we killed three elk (all F) by accident. The story is complicated how we did this. But we are inexperienced, and are gravely regretful for what we have done. This is the most horrible thing that we have done in our entire lives.

We were able to harvest the meat from one animal, but were not able to harvest the meat from the other two. We would like to know the repercussions to the eco-system. It was a large herd of elk, about 25-30. We understand that this was illegal what we did. However, we do not know the seriousness of what we have done. Though one animal provided meat, the other two left will either decay or be eaten by scavengers. Though some of the energy will return to the ecosystem, we would like to understand better what is the overall environmental impact. We do not feel that it would accomplish anything for us to turn ourselves in. But if there is something else that we can do to atone for the damage that we have done, we will take that into consideration.

Thank you for any replies.

[HeavyC]

Wow, I do not really know what to tell you. Too many no nos there to list man.

I think I will stay outta this one, sorry.

By the way, you might have already turned yourself in by posting this, your IP can be traced you kow.

[Critter]

This is got to be a joke.

If not please let us know where you are hunting so that we can go the other way.

[SoCoKHntr]

i thought this was Hiker at first and was thinking "no way in hell" LOL!

Well new hiker, how did this accident happen if you don't mind me asking? Also, this doesn't sound legit just so you know. Why would someone create an account to come ask this question?

For grins I'll say this, leaving two elk to rot and killing game out of season (wrong license) is illegal and even though the ecological impact isn't huge the law should still be enforced so behavior like that doesn't become common place and ruin hunting for us all.

[Hike&Fish]

If this is true, do the ethical thing and turn yourself in.

If this is true and you had turned yourself in right away you may not get in much trouble. A friend of mine took a newbie hunting 2nd rifle season for elk, he shot a bull broadside, and dropped a spike behind him. They field dressed both, went to town and called the game warden. The warden came and picked up the spike and said the meat would be donated. The shooter did not get a ticket of any kind since they reported it so quickly.

If this is true, at the end of the day what you described is poaching and you should turn yourself in. You will then have to deal with the consequences of your poor decisions.

Good Luck.

[basfire]

If this is a joke so be it. If not then you need to get educated quickly by reading the fish and game laws in what ever area you are going to. Also, you might want to get educated about the natural world that you claim to enjoy. Ever hear about the ' 2nd Law of Thermodynamics". Look it up! It will answer your 'ecological' question. Get your head out of the city and learn about some basic outdoor science. Climate, forestry, biology, topography, etc. It might save your bacon in the future. There is NO excuse for what you've claim is a true incident.

Respectfully, Bruce, 30 year.career firefighter, BS Forestry, woodsman.

[dwomer]

I really do hope this is a joke. If it is, it is not a very good one.

I can see where a 1st time hunter, in dark timber, low-light might (???) mistake an elk for a deer but it would be very difficult for anyone who is somewhat aware of the difference between these 2 species.

If this is a true story, you need to contact DOW now and tell them where, when, who, circumstances etc. and get this taken care of.

As was mentioned below, if the DOW monitors this site you have admitted to illegal killings as well as numerous other infractions. And, your IP is known.

[Alpine_Archer]

I hope this is a joke, but chnaces are it's not. Turn yourselves in and sell all your guns and I hope you lose your hunting and fishing right for your lifetime.

P.S. don't let me catch you in my neck of the woods shooting and leaving animals without a permit it wont be the DOW you have to worry about.... average elk is 800 lbs average deer is 300 theres no way you could have mistaken them for deer.

BTW what state were you in so I can contact the proper DOW...???

[sqrlyhntr83]

are you stupid??? im being serious did you not look at a picture book or something before you went hunting.... even in low light ( shouldn't be shooting anyway) there is no way the same mistake could be made 3 times.... and not being able to harvest the meat how is that possible when you shot it did it just jump off a cliff or something.... people like you and your friend are what hurts hunting for everyone..... what a shame wasting three cows

25-30 elk you saw them what did you think a doe was just hanging out with them cause she doesn't get along with other deer???

sell your guns and camo... and stick to hiking

i hope someone finds out and turns you in..... STUPID

oh yeah and what you can do to make up for what you have done........ turn yourself and your friend in.... but im sure you are dumb enough to think that is not a good idea

[HeavyC]

This is why I chose to stay the heck out of this one! I am sure hoping it is a joke! I just cannot imagine THREE people ALL mistaking an elk for deer AND two leaving the kill behind for some unknown reason! Yeah, maybe one person, but THREE! Has to be a sick joke! Please tell us it is a sick joke!

[HeavyC]

If it is really true they are asking for help on this, no need to get all crazy on them!!!

Still is giving me a headache and I just cannot help it now! So YES, I agree! Just turn yourselves in. It is the only logical & ethical thing to do. There is no making up for it by another means. As Beretta would say; "Don't do the crime if you cant do the time"!

Prolly some PETA wacko job, trying to make us all look bad, lets just hope it is as I am having a hard time understanding it any other way.

[sqrlyhntr83]

heavy your right i might have over reacted.... but this was my first year elk hunting and i made dang sure to know what i was looking for... and i did not even get a chance to put the sights on one.... 5 days in the timber and not one elk seen these yahoo's don't have a clue and take out three no problem... i hope this is a sick joke

[HeavyC]

Yeah no probs, I just got to thinking if it was true and I was them, what would I be doing. I would be freaking out!!

When I first read it I went WTF! No way @#$%^& %^&* %^&*. That is when I said maybe I had better stay outta it.

[Alpine_Archer]

after re reading this guys post it has to be a joke. look how he talks about "enviromental impact" and "energy will return to the ecosystem" Go hug some tree's hippie I call B.S. ....

[HeavyC]