Mass. turkey hunter blindsided by bobcat

[kevinmac]

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090531/NEWS01/905319985/-1/news

Some good local links about Bobcats at end of the article

 

[Tom Rankin]

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090531/NEWS01/905319985/-1/news

I guess he was correct, in that he has perfected his turkey call, if was attacked!

 

[hikes-with-him]

hmmmm....I wonder which is worse...

Being attacked ny a bobcat who thought he was dinner...

or being attacked by a Tom Turkey who thought he was a long female?

 

[Mattl]

I thought it was interesting how he thought it was a beautiful creature but wanted to kill it.

 

[--M.]

Compelling story, thanks for putting it up there!

If a hunter is attacked like that, what's the protocol on shooting back? The article mentions it not being bobcat season (didn't know there was such a thing), but he was attacked, so would he have been open to prosecution if he had brought it down?

--M.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Compelling story, thanks for putting it up there!

If a hunter is attacked like that, what's the protocol on shooting back? The article mentions it not being bobcat season (didn't know there was such a thing), but he was attacked, so would he have been open to prosecution if he had brought it down?

--M.

I would *THINK* (but what do I know?) that deadly force would only be allowed if your life was truly in danger???

 

[Grumpy]

If a hunter is attacked like that, what's the protocol on shooting back? The article mentions it not being bobcat season (didn't know there was such a thing), but he was attacked, so would he have been open to prosecution if he had brought it down?

--M.

Sure, he probably would have been open to prosecution had he shot the bobcat.

But it is hard for me to imagine a conservation officer (game warden) who would run in somebody for shooting an animal out of season in a case like this one. Likewise, it is difficult to imagine a prosecutor that would push the matter or a court that would convict him.

In any case, my hat is off to Mr. Donati for the self-restraint he exercised in this instance. He really does seem to be an exemplar of the ethical, serious, and skilled hunter.

G.

 

[--M.]

Absolutely! I'm trying to imagine the difference he saw between the coyote he mentioned and a bobcat who had just drawn blood. Quite a story!

 

[Barkingcat]

I thought it was interesting how he thought it was a beautiful creature but wanted to kill it.

Yes; I picked up on that, as well.

 

[Chip]

I would *THINK* (but what do I know?) that deadly force would only be allowed if your life was truly in danger???

Well, at that point you wouldn't be thinking about Da Rules as they wouldn't matter...if you were morte.

In CT there is no Bobcat season. The only closed season for coyote here happens to be during the Spring and Fall Turkey seasons, so there is a correlation that I think is primarily about hunting safety.

--M, the bobcat was out of season, the coyote wasn't apparently. If you shoot an animal out of season you'd need to be prepared to be prosecuted. Also "Hunting" out of season is called Poaching and is considered a deplorable act in violation of ethical standards. The only reason we all (hunters and non hunters) can enjoy any of these animals in our "back yards" is that hunters abide by season limits and dates.

Grumpy, I agree. Very admirable restraint.

 

[--M.]

I couldn't find a reference to what the hunter's weapon was. He says he would have "shot" the bobcat, but it doesn't specify bow or firearm (or towed 88). Am I missing it?

Also, I was trying to divine the difference between hunting and self-restraint in self-defense; trying to understand his presence of mind, having just been clawed.

 

[Chip]

I couldn't find a reference to what the hunter's weapon was. He says he would have "shot" the bobcat, but it doesn't specify bow or firearm (or towed 88). Am I missing it?.

operating a bow or a towed 88 would be very difficult while calling in a bird. I assumed shotgun, but you could look up the season as bow and shotgun wouldn't be at the same time. FWIW: bow hunting turkey is considered extremely difficult and would be near impossible solo.

Also, I was trying to divine the difference between hunting and self-restraint in self-defense; trying to understand his presence of mind, having just been clawed.

Again, very impressive restraint. I'll admit, in that situation, with adrenaline and blood flowing, I might not have kept my cool.

 

[--M.]

operating a bow or a towed 88 would be very difficult while calling in a bird. I assumed shotgun, but you could look up the season as bow and shotgun wouldn't be at the same time. FWIW: bow hunting turkey is considered extremely difficult and would be near impossible solo.



Again, very impressive restraint. I'll admit, in that situation, with adrenaline and blood flowing, I might not have kept my cool.

Well, that was why I was trying to figure out the scenario: facing a bobcat with a bow is far different from doing it with a scattergun. Cool under fire would go to a whole new level in that case. I suppose he felt that the threat had already peaked and was receding.

Awesome story.

 

[RoySwkr]

I read about a similar attack in NH some years ago, perhaps in a Paul Doherty book

 

[spider solo]

...even if it was accidental I tend to think of it as a little payback from the animal kingdom...

 

[--M.]

Maybe it was a cougar.

 

[Stan]

...even if it was accidental I tend to think of it as a little payback from the animal kingdom...

Another hopeless romantic!

Maybe it was a cougar.

I doubt he'd have lived to tell about it if it were. Note to self: do not attempt to call game out west.