The Downside of Killing A Trophy Buck
Ashley Gilliam’s Harnett County Buck Photo Courtesy of N&O
The thoughts of killing a huge buck one day is the dream of many of us that hunt but have you thought any about the downside? I’ve heard a number of stories through the years that may make you think twice. I know that with in the state of North Carolina that there have been some deer taken that would be record book racks but they are never submitted.
If you kill a big buck the property you hunt will most likely become heavily pressured by both “legal” & “illegal” means. If you own the land the surrounding land will see a increase in hunting if they can find ways to access it. If you don’t own the land but lease it there will be attempts by others to lease it out from under you. Although these are legal means I’m not sure they are the most ethical. There will also be some that will take the illegal means an trespass or even drive the area at night looking for an opportunity to poach a deer.
The other very common thing to have done is to have your reputation questioned by rumors that you illegally took your trophy. Why some people feel the need to do that is beyond me but Alex Webb of the N&O had such a story just the other day.
When Ashley Gilliam pulled the trigger on a huge buck with a trophy-sized rack on Nov. 1, his emotions ran high, but that high did not last long.
He learned success doesn’t always guarantee happiness, especially in the outdoors.
As news of Gilliam’s buck spread, rumors began to circulate that the buck may have not been a legal kill, perhaps shot after legal hunting hours.
“I think there may have been some jealousy on some people’s part, and they started the rumors. This was the lowest point I had ever felt because I knew it was legal,” Gilliam, from Angier, said.
The entire story that Alex has laid out is fascinating and you should read it but I’ll focus on the ending to make my point. The rumors got so bad that Mr. Gilliam ended up getting up with the local game warden and taking him out to the area he killed the buck and walking him through what happened. Mr. Gilliam provided the game warden with a print out of his cell phone bill from that day where he called to get help loading his trophy deer and a receipt from a store he stopped at shortly after dark. Now none of this was required by the NCWRC but I’m certain that Mr. Gilliam didn’t want the local Harnett County Wildlife Enforcement Officer thinking he had done something wrong.
If the day ever comes that you cross paths with a trophy you may face some of the same unwarranted scrutiny and pressure so what will you do? Show that trophy off or not? Me I’ll show it off but I guess I’ll keep the receipt from my celebratory RC Cola & Moon Pie.
That’s so sad that hunters just can’t be happy for each other. It kind of takes all the fun out of getting a trophy animal.
Comment by Kristine Shreve — January 24, 2008 @ 10:56 am
I covered this story over at my blog earlier this week and was quite baffled by the comments this hunter fell victim to. Sad situation.
Comment by SouthernAdventures — January 24, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
Jealousy.. pure and simple. congrats to the hunter and who says big deer don’t grow in Harnett county. Little age, little nutrients and good genetics.. makes em grow!!
Comment by Chuck — January 24, 2008 @ 10:58 pm