"YA TAKES YA CHANCES"

It was a sweltering, hot day in early August when the call came over the radio. It was hard to believe, but the complainant said that he over heard a conversation via a city radio of someone loading up two deer just outside of town. The complainant knew the individual and had promptly notified Wildlife and Fisheries. Sgt. Dusty Rhodes wasn't too far from the area, so he was sent to investigate. In this type of circumstance, time is of the utmost importance, so fortunately he was able to respond quickly. After meeting with the complainant, he went to the suspect’s residence to see if he could find any activity. Initially there was no one home, but after a short while a truck matching the description pulled in the drive. After not seeing any signs of deer in the truck, Sgt. Rhodes approached the individual and identified himself. After a brief conversation, Sgt. Rhodes noticed what appeared to be fresh blood and hair in the back of the truck. He confronted the man and told him of the complaint he had received. The man hesitated a bit, but decided to tell the truth. After being advised of his rights, the man informed Dusty that he had taken a chance and he had shot the two deer. One three-point buck, still in velvet, and one doe. He told Dusty that he had gone out scouting by his lease and saw the two deer. He had shot them with his 22. caliber rifle and loaded them in his truck. I guess his conscience had gotten to him, so he brought Sgt. Rhodes to where he had cleaned the deer and stored them in an ice chest.