Yesterday, 27-year-old Brandon Eugene Gregory pleaded guilty to entering a Houston wildlife sanctuary and beheading a tame deer known as “Mr. Buck.” He did not originally claim full responsibility, however.

From the Houston Press’ Hair Balls blog:

Brandon Eugene Gregory [originally] claimed that the beheading was done in self-defense after Mr. Buck attacked him, despite the fact that a) Gregory showed up with bolt cutters and a bone saw, b) he'd used those bolt cutters to slice his way in through the exhibit's fence, c) Mr. Buck was very tame, child-friendly, and used to interacting with people, while d) Gregory possesses the sort of haunted thousand-yard stare usually reserved for ex-KGB assassins.

Hair Balls was able to think of no less than ten slightly less. . . insane excuses he could have used.

Be sure to check them out (keeping in mind that the article contains some mild profanity.)

More Whitetail Headlines:

Leftover Nonresident Tags Still Available In Kansas

Deer Hunters Do Research For Wisconsin DNR
 
Controversial California Youth Hunt Moves Forward

We’ve discussed whitetail predation in this space before, but much of that talk has focused on the major players; wolves, mountain lions, coyotes, and bears. As the photo below illustrates, bobcats can also play a role in controlling deer numbers.

I live in an area where bobcats are rare. I hear of an occasional reliable sighting, or a trapper I trust will report that he’s seen cat-sign. I recognize that bobcats are secretive and frequently fly under most people’s radar. On the other hand, I spend enough time in the woods that, if they were abundant, I feel confident I’d be on to them.

A few years back I was hunting one of my favorite Kansas haunts and was treated to a deer-stalking display by a large tom. This cat slipped to within 20 yards of a feeding group of whitetails (the cat was 15 yards from my treestand) before a big doe spotted him. She got exceedingly nervous and minced off, but a nearby buck wasn’t a bit scared. When he realized the cat was close, he high-stepped it right over to the feline and ran him off. It was a memorable evening in the deer woods!

So how ‘bout you? Are bobcats abundant in your area? Have you seen a cat harass or kill a whitetail, or found a carcass you felt was a cat-kill? Look forward to your stories!

I have been messing with a variety of trail cameras this summer. This field-testing involves several makes/models from different price ranges, mainly so I can make reasonably intelligent commentary about what you can expect for your money. It has been an interesting project….and it gets me out in the woods and fields!

The basics of what I’ve found are not surprising; you get what you pay for. For example, the photo above is one of the prettier pics ever shot by a trail camera that I placed, and I believe the camera—not me—gets the credit. First, a disclaimer: In my opinion, the very best (meaning prettiest) cam-pics almost always involve day-time deer at close range. And truth is, there are many models that can snap a gorgeous image of a buck at sunrise from 10 yards away.

That said, I have been wowed by the Reconyx I have been testing this summer. It took this photo, which is one of my favorites. What I didn’t have room to show you is the 20-plus photos of these same deer the camera also captured in this sequence. In my experience, this camera has the fastest trigger and most sensitive detection system of any brand I’ve used. Of the bucks that have walked in front of it, I can’t think of a one that I didn’t have multiple pics of.

The downside, of course, is money. This model retails for $650, more than twice the price of most mid-range cameras. Is it worth it? I’ll withhold my opinion and you be the judge. If my experience means anything, the Reconyx WILL not only get every deer that walks (or runs) past your camera, it will likely give you multiple shots and excellent quality. So is that kind of performance worth the steeper price, or would you rather spend less money and get more cameras…or some other needed hunting gear?

Anxious to hear your thoughts!

Whitetails are tougher animals than most of us give them credit for. I have butchered enough deer to know that not all seemingly-deadly wounds from broadheads and bullets are fatal. Assuming infection doesn’t set in and ravage the buck (or doe) internally, a whitetail can take a lot of abuse and still recover.

I was reminded of this the other day when a friend sent me this trail cam picture of a nice buck. This beautiful whitetail was shot by a muzzleloader hunter last fall and, though the buck was not recovered, was presumed dead. Obviously, these photos prove that the buck is very much alive, though he bears a scar that should make him easier to identify this fall!

So how about you guys? Have you harvested a buck that exhibited old wounds that amazed you? Or, have you grazed a buck one day, only to get a second chance down the road? Interested in hearing similar tales of whitetail toughness