Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Hunting/Trapping 2014-2015

Al, do they retrieve the animal or leave it where it fell? The reason I ask is to try and determine motive. Why take such a risk in the first place? Do they need the food? Are they after trophies?

When I was in my teens many years ago, I was involved in two instances of shining/poaching deer. I wasn't the shooter, but I was there, so I was guilty also. From my point of view, it's a terrifying experience. A .222 at 1 am is somehow twice as loud as the same rifle fired at 3 pm in the afternoon.

So why do it? In my case, it was strictly food. Not for myself or my family, but for someone else. That doesn't mean I condone this type of behavior, as I most certainly do not. But there's a massive risk involved in poaching deer...what would cause someone to assume this risk?

Food? Pride? Boredom?

If it were food, wouldn't they kill the first animal they came across, and not wait for a buck?

I'm not proud of what I did all those years ago, as I was raised better than that. But at the time, I believed the circumstances warranted the actions. That doesn't make it right, or appropriate, however.