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In a case that has stirred debate among hunting communities in central Pennsylvania, forest rangers are setting the record straight about an unusual theft involving an Amish hunting party and a prized buck in Tuscarora State Forest.
On December 5, an Amish hunting group legally harvested a nine-point buck in Toboyne Township, properly tagged and field dressed it, then temporarily stashed it behind a tree off Wolf Road. When they returned later that day to retrieve their game, the deer had vanished.
The incident, which forest officials initially described as the theft of a “lifetime buck,” has generated considerable attention and controversy on social media, with many criticizing the hunters for leaving their prize unattended.
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Forest Ranger Steven Shaffer spoke with CBS 21 to address what he called “misinformation” circulating about the case.
“I think everyone can agree that the theft itself was wrong,” Shaffer said. “There’s a lot of individuals that are pointing the finger at the hunter himself for leaving the deer in the woods.”
Shaffer emphasized that temporarily leaving harvested game in the field is common practice among hunters. “Most people have vehicles with them and they’ll put them in the vehicle or secure them in the bed of a truck. In this case, the individuals didn’t have a vehicle available,” he explained. “They had no place else to put it.”
The ranger clarified that no laws were broken by the hunting party. “As long as it’s properly tagged, it was properly harvested, it was a lawful animal to take during the hunting season—there’s nothing wrong with leaving it there,” Shaffer stated.
The circumstances of the case highlight the unique transportation challenges faced by the Amish community when hunting. Unlike most modern hunters who drive to and from hunting locations, Amish hunters typically hire drivers to transport them.
“They normally would pay a driver to drive them to the location, so somebody would drive them in a pickup truck, drop them off, and they usually spend the day hunting,” Shaffer explained. “When they get dropped off they have a predetermined time and place where they’re going to be picked up.”
On the day of the incident, the hunting party had successfully taken the buck, but their arranged transportation wasn’t scheduled to return for several hours, leaving them with little choice but to properly tag the deer and temporarily leave it in the forest.
The investigation has been complicated by the lack of photographic evidence. Being Amish, the hunters don’t use cameras or smartphones that might have documented their harvest. “We had to do the best with the description,” Shaffer noted. “The antlers allow us to get an actual description of the animal out there and may help us in actually determining that this is the same animal we’re looking for. Had it been an antlerless deer, it’d be nearly impossible.”
Despite the substantial size of the stolen buck, Shaffer confirmed that potential fines for the theft would be consistent with those for any illegally taken deer, regardless of its trophy status.
The case has highlighted tensions between traditional and modern hunting practices in rural Pennsylvania, where the Amish community maintains historical hunting traditions amid evolving game management regulations and technology.
“They didn’t do anything wrong in this case. They’re actually a victim of this crime and we’re trying to solve it for them,” Shaffer emphasized.
Authorities are still seeking leads on the theft. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Tuscarora State Forest at 717-543-1550 or the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Operation Game Thief at 1-888-742-8001.
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12 Comments
Glad to see the ranger providing some clarification on the facts. While the theft is wrong, it’s important not to jump to conclusions about the hunters’ actions. Hopefully the culprit is identified and the buck returned.
This is a tricky situation without a clear villain. The ranger is right to caution against rushing to judgment. Poaching is a serious issue, but so is the unfair targeting of lawful hunters. I hope the community can find a measured response.
This is a tricky situation that highlights the need for clear guidelines and communication between different user groups. The ranger’s clarification is helpful, but the theft itself is still very concerning.
Interesting case study in the complexities of wildlife management. The ranger’s perspective adds helpful context. Hopefully this incident can lead to constructive dialogue between all stakeholders to prevent future issues.
The forest ranger makes a fair point. While theft is unacceptable, the hunters did follow legal protocols. Hopefully this incident leads to greater understanding between different outdoor user groups in the area.
Constructive dialogue is key. Both sides should work together to find solutions that balance the needs of hunters, rangers, and the general public who enjoy these public lands.
The ranger makes a fair point – the hunters did follow protocols, even if leaving the deer unattended was risky. Theft is unacceptable, but we shouldn’t rush to judgment without understanding the full circumstances.
Agreed. Nuance and open communication are important here. All sides should work together to find solutions that balance the needs of hunters, rangers, and the public who enjoy these lands.
Interesting case. I can see both sides here – the hunters followed the rules, but leaving the deer unattended was risky. Hopefully the authorities can track down the culprit and return the buck to its rightful owners.
Agreed. Even if the hunters were within their rights, it’s understandable why some would criticize leaving valuable game unsupervised. Proper security measures are important when field dressing large animals.
Glad to see the ranger addressing the misinformation circulating about this case. While the theft itself is wrong, it’s important not to jump to conclusions about the hunters’ actions. Hopefully the culprit is found and the community can move forward constructively.
The ranger’s perspective adds important context. While the theft is unacceptable, it’s good to see efforts to avoid unfairly targeting the hunters. Hopefully this leads to productive discussions about improving security and cooperation in the area.