Moron charged with illegally killing tame deer

[WildBill]

As someone mentioned, trespass charges should be applied. This however, is a park on federally owned land (COE). I would expect that to factor in and up the jail time. Tass

It looks like Mr. Gregory could be spending some time living on federally owned land, too.

[seamusTX]

He was charged with and confessed to a state felony of illegal hunting. He has two pending charges for hunting violations. I doubt the feds will waste time on him.

- Jim

[flintknapper]

I was the keeper for that animal for several years (his name was Brutus, BTW). I was okay with the ostrich, bison and birds of prey but that animal would make me pause everytime I entered the enclosure. One year, he hurt a doe pretty bad and I and another indiv. were attempting to move her out to another area for treatment. She was hanging out by the gate so we figured we would ease up and haze her out the gate. Brutus was occupied by a dog on the sidewalk. Doe was uncooperative (she was stuck pretty bad in the hindquarteres) and Brutus noticed something was up and came over quite quickly-silent, I might add. When he appeared in brush, every hair on his body was standing on end and his head was lowered. Needless to say we then left and came back later on vehicles. Doe was eventually moved out and treated.

That deer was by no means 'tame'. He tolerated people as long as they were on the other side of the fence. I had hoped Brutus had gotten a lick in. He was one tough deer, despite the reasons that brought him to the park.

I always tried to educate the public I encountered that captive deer can be more dangerous than those raised in the wild with no exposure to humans. Brutus had no fear of humans and was quite happy to defend his turf. (Note to those who walked their dogs there...he didn't really want to play with your dog as he walked the fence with you.)

As someone mentioned, trespass charges should be applied. This however, is a park on federally owned land (COE). I would expect that to factor in and up the jail time.

Tass

TPWD (or DA) could charge him with quite a bit.

The animal was illegally killed on what is basically a Wildlife sanctuary. In Texas the illegal taking of Whitetail deer is a Class A misdemeanor. He also failed to recover the edible meat (another offense), failed to tag the animal (another offense). Probably was in possesion of an illegal knife (depending on length/style).

Texas law allows for Civil Restitution of the animal (cost to replace it) along with criminal fines (up to $10,000 in this case). Texas law (for this offense) also allows Law Enforcement to confiscate any items directly used to commit the crime (meaning hunting gear and even his vehicle). Jail time for this offense could reach 2 yrs.

I hope for only two things to come of this incident:

1. The creep gets the maximum penalty (jail time and fines)

2. This despicable act is not attributed, associated with...or misreported as having been done by a "hunter".

[WildBill]

He was charged with and confessed to a state felony of illegal hunting. He has two pending charges for hunting violations. I doubt the feds will waste time on him. - Jim

I was trying to facetious. You may be right, but I have heard about a person who bagged a deer on NASA/JSC property. He was charged with Federal crimes, but I believe he used a firearm rather than a knife.

[seamusTX]

Firearms violations are a priority for the feds. They can be very picayune about them.

You also see the occasional prosecution for something like possession of an eagle feather. That probably falls under "sending a message."

I suppose priorities depend somewhat on the U.S. attorney that has jurisdiction at the time.

- Jim

[Sodbuster]

Well hopefully the knife-wielding knucklehead winds up rooming behind bars with another critter named brutus with horns of a different persuasion, but still horny nonetheless.