Sad Day

Found these guys on my farm in 1 day of hiking! Sad to loose so many nice bucks but at least I have plenty of antler to work with.

Lose how? Poached, predation, disease or age? I doubt poached or the trophies wouldn't be left unless someone were hungry, I can cut folk some slack for dong what they need to to feed their family. Predation isn't going to change unless you thin the predators and age gets everything. Disease would be a worry.

Good supply of antler.

Frosty The Lucky.

Not sure. As you said not poaching, they did not take them animal. Two of them died in the velvet so it was before hunting season began. I found no arrows around the skeletons. I saw these guys around April, they looked to be in in excellent health. I guess that leaves coyotes. Sounds like I better start trapping.

If you have coyotes that take down deer you have a problem alright. Not wolves or big cats? Sure those are a problem too but not like bold coyotes or a large pack is high risk, they're really smart. Is it legal to bait? I know I wouldn't travel without a rifle in your situation.

Frosty The Lucky.

Here in Tennessee this year we have a bad break out of Chronic Hemorrhagic Wasting Disease.  Our dogs have brought bones from at least 4 deer back up to the house.  Three were whole spines.  I suspect that the deer has died, coyotes and other scavengers have quickly taken care of the meat and left the bones for the dogs.

Marcusb, where are you located?

Wayne 

Arghhh! Now I remember Wayne, fish and game have been keeping really close watch on moose and caribou for Chronic  Hemorrhagic Wasting Disease. I knew there was something niggling the back of my mind when I replied but couldn't put a finger on it. From what I've seen on the news it's spreading all over the lower 48.

Here's more from a quick search. http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/diseases/chronic-wasting-disease/

Prions are nasty things, IIRC boiling has no effect..

Frosty The Lucky. 

I am in Southeast Ohio. We had a bad outbreak of wasting disease about 15 years ago. The state has done a good job of thinning the herds down with generous bag limits. I have not seen any signs of it here yet, sure hope it stays that way. I have a public road thru my property, and night poaching is an issue. Its possible they were shot and made it far enough to not be recovered. I have not found any does, only these 3 nice bucks. 

"Well Done" doesn't phase prions either!