Stolen Kill

[Astonb86]

First off this isn’t a sob story or a cry for help, I just wanted to share my misfortune so others may learn from my incompetence. This is my first year bow hunting and my second year since high school actually hunting so I have a lot to learn and the curve is sharp.
Wednesday September 14, I was bow hunting near Goat Mountain North of Cougar, WA and next to Mt. St. Helens. I was alone and began down a trail near Kalama Horse camp around 6 am. On my way I ran into another bow hunter, “Ray” from Centrailia, who also happened to be alone. He had a recurve and when I asked if I could tag along he said sure. Later down the trail we ran into some elk. I drew back and got a cow, it was a perfect shot, right through the lungs. He too drew back and missed another elk. Afterwards my elk ran down the hill and the two of us began down the hill after her, following her blood trail. We followed the trail to an access road, prior to reaching the road Ray said “hey I left my bag Im going back” I said ok and he returned up hill. I then found my cow on the other side of the road. Nervous to bump her I watched as she lay there. I waited for maybe a ½ hour for Ray to return. The climb wasn’t that far and I assumed he’d be back. He never showed. I quickly pulled up my GPS and searched for a route to access this area since it was near a gravel road. Luck be it there was one. So I ran off down the hill to get my truck. Down the road I stopped and thought to tag her. So I returned wrapped my tag on her leg and ran close to 3 miles down old abandoned roads back to my truck. I must note I didn’t gut or quarter the cow because I didn’t have a pack with me, it was in my truck, hence the mad dash back. Once at my truck I quickly drove into the spot and with help of my GPS I returned to where she lay. I looked around and couldn’t find her anywhere when all of a sudden I came upon her gut pile and lungs. I was so outraged I couldn’t believe it. Someone had stolen my kill. It could have been Ray or any other hunter that came upon her. I jumped back into my rig but before I did I found my tag laying in the dirt. I drove around all that day questioning every hunter I came across if they knew or had seen my kill. No avail.
I know there’s not much you can do in a situation like this. My mistakes were trusting other people and believing she would remain untouched. I should have taken her or at least part of her with me and then also hid her with brush or relocated her body for further retrieval. Needless to say I already feel really stupid, I have been working tirelessly for the past 2 years for my first bow hunt and when I finally got that kill I don’t know if it was sheer excitement that fogged my judgement or what but I will not be making that mistake twice. I wish people had more integrity and didn’t steal someone else’s kill. Although a giant part of this is my own fault I can’t help but blame the person who actually committed the action of finding a downed animal then harvesting it fully knowing they didn’t kill it. Adding insult to injury returning home to your family and telling them what happened is less then pleasant especially when you have young children that root you on.

[predatorpro]

If it was me I'd report it and see if you can get a replacement tag...essentially your tag was stolen....worth a shot! Sad that other hunters would do this....

[Tbar]

Very unfortunate young man.  It's not unique though. I am not sure why people think it's acceptable behavior but it happens quite often. Sorry to hear, keep your head up and contact enforcement and try cashing Olympia with a case number. 

[JakeLand]

 
 They stole it plain and simple your tag was on it and that sucks definitely call the wdfg and show pics and explain what happened it's worth a shot

[Halo]

That just sucks. I hope Karma catches up with them.

[h20hunter]

Thats low indeed. Id try and get a 2nd tag.

[ghosthunter]

I have gone over these scenarios many times in my head.

And the few times I have left a animal to get help or other gear. I have devised a method to mark the animal for latter identification, should I return and find someone else loading my animal.

No help in the op scenario.

But even If someone got my animal to their camp. A game agent could easily determine the animal was mine.
There is several ways to do it, if you give it some thought.

Very sad folks behave this way. I have never wanted an animal enough to steal some one else's. Very sad.

[Dan-o]

Sorry to hear it, but you will persevere.

Don't freak out if you need to leave another animal sometime... I think game theft is rare.

I've left any animals alone to go get a cart and never head one stolen.

[cooltimber]

read hunting regs page 5

[greatnw]

Need to report it for the good of the order. WDFW may be familiar with Ray.

Doubt you'll get another tag, but worth the ask.

Tough. Don't know what is wrong with people. Hope this guy gets what coming to him.

[Buzz2401]

How long was it there?   The fact that they took the time to gut it makes me think it was there a little longer then you say. Its possible they felt it was gonna go to waste since you didn't gut it. But they still should of just gutted it and waited.  Sounds like a total d-bag thing to do. But I know I would be really pissed if I came up to an animal tagged in the Fall and not gutted.  I am sorry this happened to you but please be a little more prepared next time.  Your knife should be on you at all times.  Get another tag and learn from your mistakes and go get another.  I doubt it was that RAY guy it was most likely some drunks driving around.

[KFhunter]

I bet "Ray" stashed the meat in a hidey hole and waited for you to come back to discover the theft then leave again.  Was his truck parked anywhere nearby?  You won't remember the plate but maybe you can remember the make/model/color. 

If anyone else has this happen to them remember to take inventory of vehicle plates if you see some parked behind a locked gate or parking area.  That would help more than anything else other than catching him red handed.   

[MtnMuley]

Sad deal man. If it was "Ray" or not, he's a DB for bailing out in the first place. Knew there was gonna be some work involved, so he bailed. Good chances are he also was the guy to take the knife to the downed cow. Pretty sickening to know this happens quite often these days.

[bear hunter]

He might of seen your cow and knew if he took off. He could get to his rig and when you hiked back that he would be long gone. I always drag off and hide my game If I have to leave it. I also tag, gut, and take lots of pictures to I D it. Little crazy but some people are Big D's Sorry for your loss. Just report it and get a 2nd tag. You didn't bring home a animal. So report the tag a lost.

[pcal]

  Get down to the licence place and replace your tag as lost.Get out scouting and get on another legal elk and put this lesson to work for you.Never ever trust some guy you meet up with as your partner unless you are sure he's a regular guy. I would of said to him after he miss his shot,how about we share this elk that I just shot and shake hands on it like adults do. I never seen a bunch of John Waynes like I read on this site.Do we all live in a world of our own? Do you not share what you harvest to those who are less able or lucky to harvest  game? I would have told the guy right there that I wished he would have gotten his shot to connect but  how about  helping me track the cow and shared it.I have  hunted with parties and some guys were never lucky to kill a deer or elk in many years but everyone got to share the meat as they all worked to help those who were lucky enough to make the shot by packing it out and in camp by doing chores,cooking food and telling lies around the fire. Get 'er done and forgive as the bitterness will eat on you to the point of you never enjoying hunting again.