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A group of Amish hunters in Pennsylvania became victims of theft when their legally harvested deer disappeared while awaiting transport, according to forest officials who are now addressing public misconceptions about the incident.
The theft occurred on December 5 in Toboyne Township, Perry County, when an Amish hunting party shot, tagged, field dressed, and temporarily stored a nine-point buck behind a tree off Wolf Road in Tuscarora State Forest. When they returned later to collect their game, the deer was gone.
Forest Ranger Steven Shaffer of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spoke with CBS 21 to clarify what he described as “misinformation” circulating since the incident was reported.
“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 a common practice among hunters, especially when transportation isn’t immediately available. For the Amish hunting party, who rely on hired drivers rather than personal vehicles, this practice was particularly necessary.
“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,” Shaffer explained. “They had no place else to put it.”
The ranger also addressed legal concerns, confirming there is no law against leaving harvested game where it was shot, provided hunters follow proper protocols.
“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,” he said.
The Amish community’s unique transportation arrangements played a significant role in this situation. Shaffer explained their typical hunting process: “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.”
These arrangements include predetermined pickup times and locations. On the day of the incident, the hunters faced a gap of several hours between harvesting the deer and their scheduled transportation.
The nine-point buck, described in initial reports as a “lifetime” deer—suggesting its exceptional size or quality—represents a significant loss for the hunters. While no photos of the deer exist due to the Amish hunters’ religious practices, authorities are using the antler description to help identify the stolen game.
Despite the impressive size of the stolen buck, Shaffer noted that potential penalties for the thief would be consistent with those for stealing any deer, regardless of size or quality.
The case highlights the unique challenges faced by Amish hunters, who must navigate modern game management requirements while adhering to their community’s traditional practices and religious restrictions on 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 actively seeking information about the theft. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant 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.
The incident has sparked discussions about hunting ethics and respect for others’ legally harvested game in Pennsylvania’s hunting community, where the deer season represents a significant cultural tradition and conservation management tool.
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9 Comments
This is a tricky situation, but the forest ranger’s clarification helps provide important context. Temporary field storage is understandable, especially for hunters without immediate transportation. The real issue is the theft itself, which is unacceptable. Hopefully the authorities can get to the bottom of this incident.
This is a concerning incident, but it’s good that the forest ranger is providing clarity on the proper hunting procedures. Temporary field storage is understandable, especially for hunters without immediate transport. Hopefully the authorities can find the culprit and return the deer to its rightful owners.
It’s good to see the forest ranger addressing the misconceptions around this incident. Leaving legally harvested game temporarily in the field is a common practice, especially for hunters without immediate access to transportation. The theft itself is the real problem here, and I hope the authorities are able to recover the deer and hold the culprit accountable.
Agreed, the ranger’s explanation helps provide important context. Poaching and theft of game is a serious issue that needs to be addressed properly.
It’s unfortunate that the Amish hunters had their legally harvested deer stolen. Leaving game in the field temporarily is a common practice, especially when transportation is limited. The forest ranger is right to clarify the facts and address any misconceptions around this incident.
Poaching and theft of game is a serious issue. I’m glad the authorities are looking into this case and trying to set the record straight.
It’s unfortunate that the Amish hunters became victims of theft, but the forest ranger’s explanation helps contextualize the situation. Leaving legally harvested game temporarily is a common practice, and the theft itself is the real issue here. I hope the authorities are able to recover the deer.
Agreed, the theft is the main problem here. Proper hunting procedures should be respected, and it’s good the ranger is clarifying the facts to address any misconceptions.
This is a concerning incident, but the forest ranger’s clarification is helpful in understanding the proper procedures and context. Temporary field storage is understandable, and the real issue here is the theft itself. I hope the authorities are able to recover the deer and hold the responsible party accountable.