Thorp man charged with killing 30-plus deer

[Ice Cap]

A Thorp man is accused of shooting and leaving to rot more than 30 deer over several years, after a neighbor jogging by reportedly saw a “holocaust” of deer carcasses on the man’s Thorp Highway property.

According to court records the jogger, who was passing by 63-year-old Rodney Arnold Lang’s house, reported the find to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office late last October.


A deputy arrived but didn’t notice anything, according to court records, but Lang did approach him and complain about deer damaging his property and garden. Lang denied shooting deer.

The case was forwarded to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The department searched its records, according to court documents, and never found a report from Lang about problem deer.

A department officer walked along nearby railroad tracks and located two dead deer, and worked with the neighbor who made the original report to find a pile of bones.

None of the carcasses had been dressed, court records said. Officers tried to contact Lang without success.

Days later, the department received a call from Lang, who said he shot another deer, although he was told not to.

Court records said Lang insisted he had a right to defend his property.

When department officials tried to discuss non-lethal options, the records said, Lang said he didn’t want to build fencing because he didn’t want to deal with opening and closing gates.

A WDFW officer returned to Lang’s property later, where Lang admitted to shooting at deer who damage his fruit trees or garden, adding he’d killed more than 30 deer over the past five or so years.

According to court records, Lang said they were like rodents, and it didn’t matter how many were killed, because they kept coming back.

WDFW searched the property and found 20 deer carcasses of varying age and sex in various stages of decomposition around his property.

None were dressed or processed in any way, and most were left in a large pile to rot or for animals to scavenge, according to court records.

Lang pleaded not guilty Tuesday to first degree unlawful hunting of big game and wasting of fish and wildlife — the crime of leaving game to rot.

His trial is currently scheduled for June 2, and he’s represented by Ellensburg attorney Chelsea Korte.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Gee, that may have affected the local deer harvest.

[Jonathan_S]

Friggin kook.

Should have went into a partnership with Louie.

[JimmyHoffa]

I wonder if this guy or his neighbors had the option of allowing hunting.  I know some suburban/semi-rural areas are getting over run by deer. 

[actionshooter]

They need to hang the guy, if you live in an area where wildlife lives and you don't like it, build a fence or move.

[GBoyd]

They need to hang the guy, if you live in an area where wildlife lives and you don't like it, build a fence or move.

God bless the internet. It took four comments to go from "that must have affected the local deer harvest" to public execution.

[Miles]

I wonder if this guy or his neighbors had the option of allowing hunting.  I know some suburban/semi-rural areas are getting over run by deer. 

Just a guess, but I would bet there are No Hunting/No Trespassing signs surrounding the property...   

[JJB11B]

They need to hang the guy, if you live in an area where wildlife lives and you don't like it, build a fence or move.

God bless the internet. It took four comments to go from "that must have affected the local deer harvest" to public execution.

I support public executions, for real bad crimes...

[Miles]

The deer are eating his garden.  He's showing them what happens when you mess with his food.   Seems like he's doing a good job at it too. 

[rtspring]

He has a great Attorney....  I know him well..   

[actionshooter]

They need to hang the guy, if you live in an area where wildlife lives and you don't like it, build a fence or move.

God bless the internet. It took four comments to go from "that must have affected the local deer harvest" to public execution.

Absolutely, are you saying you condone his actions?

 I usually don't jump on the band wagon but this kind of thing makes me sick.

[JimmyHoffa]

What if he had killed 30 wolves over the time period that were coming onto his property and killing livestock?

[actionshooter]

What if he had killed 30 wolves over the time period that were coming onto his property and killing livestock?

No difference in my eyes, poaching and waste is still the same...........but if there were 30 wolves in an area I'm guessing there would be bigger problems   

[Boss .300 winmag]

He has a great Attorney....  I know him well..   

If he has two points in his deer piles he's in like RT! 

Sorry too easy of a pun. 

[GBoyd]

They need to hang the guy, if you live in an area where wildlife lives and you don't like it, build a fence or move.

God bless the internet. It took four comments to go from "that must have affected the local deer harvest" to public execution.

Absolutely, are you saying you condone his actions?

 I usually don't jump on the band wagon but this kind of thing makes me sick.

No, definitely not. I think they need to heartily fine the guy, hopefully so heavily that he at least runs the risk of losing that piece of property. A bit of jail time would be nice as well.