My sister A and her husband N live a much different life than us. It involves everything outdoorsy. I like to think we 'rough' it a bit, but compared to them, we're city slickers. N is one of the few outdoorsmen left who actually could live off the land. When he hunts, it's not with all the new fangled gear and gadgets, just a gun and himself (no camo even). And he gets more animals than anyone I know.
The other day an older couple they know called them up to say that a there were 2 deer fighting in their field, and they didn't know what to do. Apparently the deers antlers were locked together, and they were unable to get away from each other. The couple had called Fish and Wildlife, but were unable to get ahold of anyone, so they called N, since he was the only hunter they knew. N and A went over to their house to investigate, and found what they said was true, only the one deer was dead already. When N got closer yet, he found that both deer's antlers were tangled up in a roll of twine, and so getting them free could be a challenge. Hunting season is over up in Alberta (where they live), and N only had a tag for a different kind of deer this year anyways. The old lady tried to convince him that it would be okay to kill the deer, seeing the circumstance. N told her that it was still illegal, so he would only kill it if he absolutely had to.
The people lived near a river (frozen at this time of year), so N was able to "steer" the deer down onto the ice, where the buck had less footing and was less likely to charge him, and then N could try to cut the twine and break him free. So, he got down there, and cut as much as he could from as far away as possible, but then did have to wrestle the deer a bit it finally get all of it cut. The deer was pretty tired from dragging the other dead deer around for who knows how long (it was partially eaten by coyotes, so the alive deer likely had to fend off the coyotes himself too), but still was quite a challenge and charged N a few times.
In the end, the deer was freed, and there were no injuries. N got his exercise, and A got her heart attack scare for the day. And the old people who called in the first place were very appreciative of his good deed. A got a bunch of pictures, so I'll post some if I can get her to send me some.
PS. N is also the one who has hounds and hunts cougars, if you've seen my pictures on Facebook.
The other day an older couple they know called them up to say that a there were 2 deer fighting in their field, and they didn't know what to do. Apparently the deers antlers were locked together, and they were unable to get away from each other. The couple had called Fish and Wildlife, but were unable to get ahold of anyone, so they called N, since he was the only hunter they knew. N and A went over to their house to investigate, and found what they said was true, only the one deer was dead already. When N got closer yet, he found that both deer's antlers were tangled up in a roll of twine, and so getting them free could be a challenge. Hunting season is over up in Alberta (where they live), and N only had a tag for a different kind of deer this year anyways. The old lady tried to convince him that it would be okay to kill the deer, seeing the circumstance. N told her that it was still illegal, so he would only kill it if he absolutely had to.
The people lived near a river (frozen at this time of year), so N was able to "steer" the deer down onto the ice, where the buck had less footing and was less likely to charge him, and then N could try to cut the twine and break him free. So, he got down there, and cut as much as he could from as far away as possible, but then did have to wrestle the deer a bit it finally get all of it cut. The deer was pretty tired from dragging the other dead deer around for who knows how long (it was partially eaten by coyotes, so the alive deer likely had to fend off the coyotes himself too), but still was quite a challenge and charged N a few times.
In the end, the deer was freed, and there were no injuries. N got his exercise, and A got her heart attack scare for the day. And the old people who called in the first place were very appreciative of his good deed. A got a bunch of pictures, so I'll post some if I can get her to send me some.
PS. N is also the one who has hounds and hunts cougars, if you've seen my pictures on Facebook.
