I was out shed hunting this morning and I walked up onto a nice size carcass with its head cut off. it was basically decayed already. It was just bones except for the back lower legs still had fur. How long does it take for this to happen. I am really hoping that it isn't my big 10 I was after all season. It looks poached. I am so pissed right now. What would you guys do?
no footprints were in the mud by it and snow has been melted off in that spot completely. so its been like that for a while. and the saw marks dont look real fresh.
What kind of temps have you had over the past few months ? You're in Iowa, so, I would assume it's been cold enough to slow down the rate of decay. Were you on private land ? Just because his head was cut off, doesn't mean poached. Maybe it was legally harvested, but, not recovered for days..
It was on private land and only a few people are allowed to hunt it since my boss owns it. It wasnt there at the end of december unless i somehow missed it. Its got cold in Jan but all week has been in the 50s. I guess it might not have been poached but this is the 2nd deer ive seen this year like that and several others over the years
All the poaching I hear about, they are only wanting the rack... Or I have heard about shooting does and only taking the tenderloins
Poaching around here for just the rack is common but is not as Bad as it was a few years ago. If you have coyotes they can decimate a deer pretty fast and what's left can deteriorate pretty quick depending on temps, etc. Poachers are nothing more than criminals and should be treated as such!! Dan
We do have a lot of coyotes around but not this piece of property as it is on the edge of town but they are fairly common. Actually the only coyote I have ever killed was about 700 yds from there with my bow!!!!! I was trying to deer hunt. lol. I am praying its not the deer I think it is. He's a pig.
