 Neighborhood deer fatally shot with arrow
Port Townsend, WA (US)Date: Nov 16, 2005
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A majestic four-point buck that wandered Port Townsend neighborhoods for years died days after being shot with a cheap arrow, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Phil Henry said.
Uptown residents and law enforcement officials are baffled by the killing, which Henry said must have occurred fewer than 400 yards from 545 Lincoln St. � across from Chetzemoka Park � where it lay dead the morning of Nov. 16, 2005.
Henry said the deer, shot in the hindquarters, could not have walked up any hills with the arrow in its flesh. He said the arrow likely pierced internal organs, making it a �gut shot� � a wound that is fatal, but only after four or five days. Henry said the bow that fired the arrow was likely a common, 40-pound target practice bow normally used for recreation, not hunting. �It defies logic,� Henry said.
It�s not uncommon to see deer roaming within the city limits, even groups of four or six together, and fawns seem to quickly learn about giving right-of-way to vehicles. Large bucks tend to spend much of their time apart from the does.
Hunting in city limits is a crime � a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to Port Townsend�s municipal code. In most cases, shooting a bow and arrow in city limits is also a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Additionally, Henry said, the buck was considered a �trophy animal,� meaning a $6,000 penalty could be assessed against the perpetrator.
Jennifer Little, whose husband, Jim, found the animal dead in their yard, said they saw it limp by their window the night of Nov. 15. She said they were shocked to see it dead in the morning.
�It was awful,� she said. �The whole neighborhood had seen the buck around.� Little said the act of violence has disturbed many of her neighbors. �They�re horrified � not only that it was shot here in town, but what if an arrow were to hit a kid? I mean, it had to have happened right in the neighborhood,� Little said. �I just hope whoever did this is caught,� she said.
Henry believed the big buck had probably lived its entire life within city limits, roaming from Kah Tai Lagoon to Morgan Hill to Fort Worden State Park. It�s not uncommon to see deer roaming within the city limits, even groups of four to six together, and fawns even seem to quickly learn about giving right-of-way to vehicles.
Three different couples have offered rewards totaling $1,100 for information leading to the arrest of the person who killed an uptown deer with a target arrow.
Patrick and Susan Warren of Brinnon called The Leader this week to say they would offer a $500 reward. A couple who owns property uptown and wished to remain anonymous later called to say they would add $100 to that, and Karen and Tony DeLorenzo of Port Townsend said Wednesday they would add another $500.
Anyone with information about the crime can contact the Washington State Patrol at 360-478-4646. Messages can be left there for Henry.
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