The Headless Deer
This picture tells the story…more here:
Elizabeth Laatsch had to reassure the operator her call was no Halloween prank.
A deer came through her backyard Friday with a pumpkin stuck on its head.
At least, it looked like a pumpkin to the South Middleton Township woman.
“It sounds very far-fetched,†says Laatsch, who moved into the Stonehedge Drive house with husband, Jerry, about a month ago. Her husband was on the back porch about 11:15 a.m. when something walked through the yard.
“He did not know what it was at first,†Laatsch says. “He called out to me.â€
She looked outside and saw the deer moving slowly, unable to see where it was going.
The animal disappeared into a wooded area and gully. Forty-five minutes later, the deer meandered back and Laatsch took its picture.
Query: If you saw this deer from your stand, and only had a doe tag left, would you shoot?
The Pennsylvania Game Commission asks anyone who has seen a deer with a pumpkin head to call 1-814-643-1831.
UPDATE: On October 27, 2005, The Sentinel wrote a follow up story and cited to PA: Hunt. Fish. Shoot. on the front page:
A deer with a pumpkin-like globe on its head apparently has gone missing.
No new sightings since Friday.
On the ‘Net, however, there’s lots of curiosity.
Query: How could anyone legally shoot this deer without knowing if it were antlered, antlerless, or protected?
If I did not have a doe tag, but just antlered tag, I would not shoot because it does not have three pumpkins to a side.
Nice! A deer-o-lantern! If it were a buck I would have to say it would be a non-legal buck if he could fit his head inside a pumpkin 🙁
But couldn’t a youth hunter or a disabled hunter shoot this deer legally?
No need to worry. Deer hasn’t been seen in well over a week now. I’m afraid it has gone to benefit other wildlife now.
That deer can get that pumpkin off its head, it probably did so already