Animal activist refuses to let bow-hunter retrieve deer

A bow-hunter who thought he was doing everything by the book instead went home empty-handed, reports the Connecticut Post.

After mortally wounding a deer, he tracked it -- as responsible hunters should -- until it collapsed and died.

Realizing the animal had ended up on someone's private property, he went to the door to ask permission to retrieve the buck.

"My husband told him to just go away, he couldn't have the deer," homeowner Lynn Gorfinkle said.

Gorfinkle went out into her yard and took photos of the deer. "It was a crime scene, in my opinion, the minute that it was shot," she said.

Turns out, Gorfinkle is the CEO of Animal Rights Alliance in Redding, Conn.

The state's bow-hunting season began mid-September at Bennett's Pond State Park, where hunting is allowed by the Department of Environmental Protection, though the Gorfinkles believe that the whitetail deer came from a closer tract of land.

"I will never go out [in the backyard] so casually again. It impairs the enjoyment of your own property when you feel you have to look over your shoulder or wear fluorescent orange or something," Gorfinkle said.

DEP communications director Dennis Schain said that hunting accidents by bow-hunters are rare. "I've been here four years and have never heard of such a thing," he said.

The controversy between hunting enthusiasts and animal-rights activists is nothing new in the area. Earlier this year, a deer hunt on city property in Stamford was ended early because of complaints, and even death threats, according to a city official. And nearby Fairfield is meeting opposition to their effort to open some town-owned land to deer hunting.

The DEP reports that Fairfield County, where Stamford and Fairfield are located, has the highest deer density in the state, with an estimated average of 62 animals per square mile.

The Fairfield County Municipal Deer Management Alliance still backs the culling as a way to prevent the spread of Lyme disease, over-browsing of native vegetation and deer collisions with automobiles.

Lynn and other animal-rights proponents argue that killing the deer is not the answer and that nature should be allowed to take its course to control deer numbers.

So the carcass remains in the Gorfinkles' yard, where it has been since Oct. 2. Lynn hopes that other animals will eat it because it is too big to bury.

"If someone's going to eat that deer, I want it to be natural predators, not some hunter," she said.

Her actions, meanwhile, may mean the death of another deer. "Since the hunter did not recover the deer, he did not need to tag it and it doesn't count toward his bag limit," Dennis Schain told Outposts.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Whitetail deer buck. Credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Comments

[HUNTER4LIFE]

caroline tc you a moron comparing hunters to rapist and killers get real. people have been hunting since the dawn of time and some the most important people in history have been hunters. its ignorant views like yours that should be frowned upon.

[Brian]

Aren't humans natural predators? Leaving the animal there is just a big waste, the hunter could be feeding himself and his family with that deer. Just cause to show, some people care more about animals than their fellow man.

[big shrek]

It amuses me that the anti-hunters don't realize that most meals taken by predators in the wild are eaten while they are still breathing & living!!

Few indeed are the predators which actually kill the prey before they start enjoying the benefits of their labor. Shock from blood loss and disembowelment are the main killers in the wild. They usually just go for immobilization...then they feed on the bowels first. It ain't a Disney Wonderland out there, folks.

Man IS an Animal. Just because we reason, does not mean that we can live on Tofu. We have sharp pointy teeth for the purpose of tearing meat. We are, much like bears, OMNIVOROUS. We can eat either, but cannot be totally sustained by either Alone.

It is only through the benefit of modern transportation by refridgerated diesel trucks that veganism is an option. Oddly enough, it's those same trucks which are doing MORE damage to the ozone layer. USE YOUR HEADS, PEOPLE!!

And let us speak about cow flatulence. If you've ever spent a fair amount of time around a vegan, you quickly realize they've got gas that's far worse than what a cow puts out...with all that Methane being produced by vegans...gee, doesn't that harm the environment as well??

Now I'm also all about Intelligent hunting. I do not hunt for trophys, I hunt for food or to destroy predators...like Wild Spanish Boar which were imported to Florida and turned loose...like the Boa Constrictors that people just couldn't handle and got to big, so they turned them loose in our swamps. Free bacon & ham from the boar...and nice snakeskin boots & scabbards from the 15'-30' pythons. Got to admit, the meat of the python isn't very tasty...but the alligators love it :D

The tactics used in hunting deer are most beneficial to our military, because if you can stalk-hunt deer (deer blinds are for wimps), you can stalk down the enemies of our Great Country!

[Kevin]

Nothing helps the cause of hunting advocates more than allowing animal rights people to speak extemporaneously.

[Kevin]

I don't understand the focus on how hunting isn't "natural" because of the tools involved. The fact that humans are able to create and use tools to help them is one of the major things that separates humans from other animals. If other animals could create and use tools that were very effective at killing humans or other animals then they'd be using them too.

[CarolineTC]

"Hunters *are* natural predators and deer are a fabulous , renewable and sustainable local source of animal protein. All municipalities that can should encourage the sustainable harvesting of local foods on their lands."
Iceclass.

I love to see you out there without your manufactured bought killing equipment, baits, tree stand, camos, weapons and lures and see what "natural" predators you are. That is why bowhunters have to wait minimum of 30-45 min before tracking deer incase their disgusting footstep will spook the already wounded, suffering and terrified animals to run further (they are told to let the deer "lay up and die" . Bowhunters cannot carry guns so that means further tracking and that is why deer many times are not retrieved. You are "natural" predators in the human population like a pedophile or rapists.

Without all that gear and weapons you be a defenseless as a little bunny rabbit and a great meal for the true predators of the wild.

[CarolineTC]

@confucious

Surrrre you like your venison and of cours with all that marinade and seasoning even human carcass can taste good. Plus knowing that CWD is out there are have killed venison eaters I doubt very much you have touched the venison and the only one eating them are the people at the pantries who will eventually get diseases and die from Prions. It's pretty serious stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=856B42A1DF67975A

http://www.youtube.com/user/MadDeerDisease

[CarolineTC]

First of all mans "food chain" is plants you are actually the "food chain" for the carnivores of the wild. And if you say its about "natural balance" then you explain this

http://mathew5-7.blogspot.com/2009/08/this-is-why-we-have-too-many-deer.html

to me. Why are they "producing" deer if its about "reduction"? and is it any wonder why the most heavily hunted states has the most deer thus the highest in Deer Vehicle Accidents.

[CarolineTC]

The women is fed up with bowkillers and I would be too. They are the most heartless and vicious killers of wildlife there is for they know their action bring slow suffering death.

Watch these videos and you tell me how "humane" the death is and how "ethical" bowkillers are.

"Ethical" Hunter says "let the deer lay up and die"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw4MyyM1utc

The "bowshot deer dies in 30 seconds" lie of heartless bowhunters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs0i3D6iCuY

I have observed just about every bowkilling video they upload. (they love showing off to other wildlife killing bubbahs how they "conquered" an innocent defenseless animals. They laugh, they dance, they to the "smack down", high fives, "wack a doe". etc etc. They are beyond the most disgusting human next to serial killers and pedophiles, and of course rapists.

[Mario]

the so-called animal rights activists are nothing less than sophists who have no understanding of the natural balance of things. They view wildlife as slide show, nothing more. If environmentalists do not know what happens when deer are allowed to reproduce without any hunting then they are certainly ignorant. Humans are as much part of the food chain as any other animal. Taking us out of it is a great disruption to the natural balance. Eco warriors are doing more harm to the environment than good. But the left wing doing more harm than good isn't anything new.

[JMOOOZ]

I can not believe this crazy --- woman. What a shame and disrespect to hunters and animals hunted. I understand and am fine with animal rights but she went toooo far. Being a hunter myself I can only imagine the sinking feeling that man must have had when he was denied his harvest. I guess I maybe would be better with this episode if the land owners wanted to keep the deer for thei own consumption. Again... Can't believe this crazy a-- woman. Only in C.T.

[Ray]

If this lady wants "nature to take it's course" then I suggest we promptly reintroduce some mountain lions and wolves into her yard. Nature will take its course.

Another suburban nutjob...
http://www.yaledailynews.com/magazine/non-fiction/2006/12/08/eat-tulips-and-die/

[Vernon McFadden]

Wait till one of their kids or grandchildren get mutilated by a cougar or wolf and see how they want nature to take care of its self then.

[blah]

I just wanted to say that, Violet, you are an idiot. I wish we could throw you people in the zoo with some lions so you can see how compassionate the rest of the animal kingdom is.

[Fred]

Let's all get emotional about the poor little deeries and throw out all science and use bogus stats. It is amazing to me that the very people who are so against killing a deer or other animal, are so FOR killing humans. Man that really goes against not only thier anti-kill beliefs, but also against the evolution science that they claim is god. If I remember correctly, the early forms of man in the evolution process were called hunter/gatherers.

Personally I think anyone who hunts purely for the sport of killing should never be allowed to hunt. All the hunters I have met and personal know either eat the meat themselves or give it to someone else who will eat it. "if you kill it you better eat it," is my motto.

Animal Activists need to get off thier emotional rag. Animals do not have souls. your dog is not human, nor does it have any human characteristics. If you don't believe me go watch the dog whisperer.

I'm a veggi-tarrian and have been my whole life. I have probably been a veggi longer than most the anti-kill people who posted on here know what a veggi is. Hunting is good, if it is banned in conn, if i ever drive through there and hit a deer. I will own all the houses of the AR peeps when I get done suing them.

Ted Rosevelt, thanks for making me laugh my a$$ off with the funniest rant about veggies I've heard in a long time.

Can't we all just get along?

[CTHunter]

The deer population is out of control throughout CT and New England region. Which in CT is directly contributing to the spread of Lyme disease to humans and other animals especially dogs. I hope all you tree huggers in Fairfield county realize this. When you or someone you love gets Lyme disease or hits a deer with your hybrid or bio diesel nature car then you'll complain about over population.
Besides the mt. lion I saw at Bennett's pond should take care of the deer population fairly quickly.

[Atia2]

When reading these comments, it's so easy to discern between those who haven't got a clue and continue spewing the hunting propaganda party line and those who are onto the so-called state wildlife agencies' real agendas!

Are hunters really that ignorant or are they cleverly pretending to be dumb, that is the question....

People who come to the defense of all the hunted species are the real conservationists, they understand that killing is done for no other reason than recreation and for raising revenues for the state, period. Everyone knows that hunting is BIG BUSINESS and has nothing to do with conservation or population control.

The blame for any perceived overpopulations rests solely on widlife agencies management practices because they are under pressure to continue providing good hunting opportunities for their clients, hunters. If there were no animals to kill, there would be no moolah from hunting license fees - it's that simple.

The Gorfinkles should be an example to everyone on how to make sure that those who are irresponsible, like that hunter, should be reported and held accountable! This perfect marksman and trespasser will get away Scot-free, but as a bonus, to his and his buddies' dismay, that piece of land will no longer be availabe to be turned into a killing field!

Congratulations, Gorfinkles - a job well done!

[Sweduke]

Hunters think that non-hunters will never understand them - how about hunters who no longer hunt, who have decided to stop because they realized what a scam the whole thing was and still is!

Humans are not natural predators; natural predators kill the sick, weak , infirm and wounded animals - hunters want the perfect specimen, the more perfect, the better for a trophy! In the process, they leave behind the weaker ones, thereby degrading the gene pool. It's no wonder that deer farms must specailize in creating the "perfect" trophy bucks because they may no longer be available in the wild where young deer are not allowed to mature.

Had this deer not been stolen from the property a few days ago, it would have served the purpose of feeding other wildlife!

It is everyone's right to not allow hunters trespassing onto their property. Had this ghappened on our land, and had the deer not been dead - we would have allowed the hunter to finish him off and then send him on his merry way - without the deer!

The starvation mantra is a stale and old one...gimme a break - there are no starving deer in CT! If there are starving deer anywhere, state game agancies that overmanaged the MSY are the ones to blame!

I'm not surprised at all at how many jerks have responded to this article with their deer hunting propaganda and name-calling, as usual!

Posted by: Sweduke |

[Lynn Gorfinkle]

"you and your husband wasted the life of that animal. Prior to your involvement, it had a purpose and was about to fulfill that purpose. You callously let it rot due to a personal vendetta. Who’s the cruel one?"

For Nobody (Special) who posted this: The hunter was the one who wasted the life of this young buck, who was healthy, a good weight, and living in habitat here that is more than adequate. Who are you in your consummate arrogance to determine what this animal's purpose should be in the grand scheme of things. There was no "personal vendetta" regarding the hunter. Our refusal to relinquish the deer was because he used very bad judgment in hunting too close to our land He certainly did not deserve to benefit from his poor decision, and hopefully he will have a learning experience as a result of this incident.

[IceClass]

Hunters *are* natural predators and deer are a fabulous , renewable and sustainable local source of animal protein. All municipalities that can should encourage the sustainable harvesting of local foods on their lands.

The yuppie CEO from the commercial animal protest industry is just another anti-ecological fundamentalist undermining sustainable local food initiatives.
Shame on them!

[rumi]

The justifications for hunting are bogus. If hunters were trying to help prevent accidents they wouldn't go sneaking around city neighborhoods. Last week a hunter shot a buck FIVE TIMES over a two hour period before the poor animal finally collapsed. His first shot was to the buck's leg. Hunters miss shots for a number of reasons, successfully killing only 50% of the deer they shoot, leaving the rest to suffer and eventually die. Google Braveheart for one story. Hunters shoot and then wait 20-30 minutes or longer to track the bleeding deer (waiting for the deer to "bleed out" or collapse). Some hunters shoot the animal at dusk and don't even look for him or her until the following day. I've had 3 deer shot in or near my yard which is posted no hunting/no trespassing. No one came looking for the injured deer. The DNR told me the meat was no good after even a few hours when I asked them to come and retrieve one nursing doe who was shot through both lungs in front of her fawn.
Hunters sign up to kill and be around death. The 94% of the population who don't hunt aren't desensitized in that manner. I should not have to witness death and dying in my yard. This is emotional assault.

[Barbara]

It's much kinder to hug a tree than kill an innocent deer.

[Lester Schellinger]

These people should be ashamed of themselves. That deer went to waste and it was all of their doing. They should just go hug a tree or something.

[Corvus]

Funny, all of the hunters worried about overpopulation of deer, over grazing, and so on, should take a gander at the deer breeding facilities that exist all over the world to make sure that population stays high.

We've urbanized into their habitats. WE are overpopulated. So, why don't you all hunt each other? It would fit into your logic perfectly.

If you all were so in touch with nature you'd see that.

[confucius]

I tried venison once, it was given to me by my co-worker who likes to bow hunt. It was surprisingly good. Please respect each other. If you don't eat meat, don't try to force us to give up meat. And meat eaters, don't try to convert vegetarians to eat meat.

PS I like my meat medium-rare.