| Author | Message | ||
     Doug Eggleston (Eggman)  BOC PALADINUsername: Eggman Post Number: 739 Registered: 7-2003  Rating: N/A |
This article and photo was in the St. Louis paper today. I was curious as to what some of you thought.  Killing of albino deer is subject of much debate - even among hunters By TEAK PHILLIPS Published: Thursday, Dec. 25 2003 Rich Webster of Fenton stalked through the woods on the opening morning of Missouri's deer season, trying to cut off a buck he had seen earlier. But as he glanced up a creek bed, he saw a big patch of white. "My first thought was that somebody's goat got loose," Webster said. He took a closer look and saw what few hunters ever do: an albino deer. White fur, pink eyes, pink nose. The choice of whether to kill the doe was one Webster, 37, took seriously. A life-time hunter, he had decided not to shoot many more deer than he'd killed. But this one was far different than any other. "At first, I wasn't going to shoot her because she was so pretty," he said. "I only took her because she was an albino. She would have died a more painful death anyway. The coyotes usually get them." Killing the deer was legal in Missouri. But in Illinois, albino deer are protected. That difference may in part be because of different methods the states have in making game laws. Paul Shelton, the lead deer biologist in Illinois, said the main reason states protect albino deer is political rather than biological. Public pressure, he said, is often behind the law. "That's what happened here in Illinois," Shelton said. The state protected all-white whitetailed deer, including albinos, in 1983 after a publicized incident prompted public action. "There's certainly not a good (biological) basis for protecting them," Shelton said. "On the other hand, I don't think that there's any evidence that protection in any state or area has really resulted in an increase in the number of white animals seen." Illinois' legislature passes its game laws, opening the opportunity for special interests to have lobbying power. But Missouri's game regulations are established by a four-member commission appointed by the governor. They are unpaid and do not run for election or appointment. That means the laws are more likely to be based on biology in addition to public input, according to Eric Kurzejeski, a biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. "I'm not aware of any efforts where people had asked us to consider" protecting albino deer, Kurzejeski said. "I do believe that we'd have to look at biologically, is there an issue here?" Missouri keeps no statistics on how many albino are killed. "We've never really considered it because it's just another color that shows up in deer," Kurzejeski said. Albino animals are produced by a recessive, genetic trait that prevents the development of pigment in skin and hair. Kurzejeski said he also has seen albino squirrels, raccoons and turkey. Piebald deer, which also are rare, have white and brown coats. They are not protected in Missouri or Illinois. Although lack of camouflage may increase the threat of predators for young albino deer, Kurzejeski said, those that make it beyond the first year probably go on to live an average life. "They're no different in the deer herd in terms of how they seem to interact or breed," he said. "They can breed just like any others. And because the genes are recessive, offspring of albinos aren't necessarily going to be albino." Biological and legal issues aside, some hunters see a strong ethical issue in killing albino deer. For a year, Todd Sacco watched an albino deer roam the area around his home in Jefferson County. He and his neighbors often hunted the area and had spotted it many times. "We wanted to see it grow up," he said. "We all got together and agreed not to kill it." "If you're a true blue hunter it's an issue," Sacco said. "Nobody would shoot an albino that I would think would be a true sportsman." He found out recently that the deer was killed this season. "It's just a shame," he said. "They should be protected. It was absolutely stunning." For Webster, his deer's rarity was part of his decision to kill it. He also owns a taxidermy business and is working on a full-body mount of the doe, which field-dressed at 65 pounds. "She was such an oddity it was a shame to kill her," he said. "But I knew I would never get a chance to see one again in my lifetime. I'm at peace with it for taking her." Reporter Teak Phillips E-Mail: tphillips@post-dispatch.com Phone: 314-444-7122 BOC DONATION SUPPORT MEMBER  eggman in central Missouri "freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose" | ||
| Bryan Shrum (Whistler)  BOC STAFFUsername: Whistler Post Number: 6243 Registered: 7-2002  Rating: N/A |
Hey Doug, I just killed my 6th deer for this year. I follow the laws when it comes to deer hunting. Not many things am I more serious about. The law in Tennessee say taking Albino deer is illegal, so I won't ever take one. But if it was legal, after talking about it to DH, I'd take one without hesitation. I'll let him elaborate on it. There are pics on the board that I took of one a couple of years ago. They sure are something to see, that's for sure. Bryan  Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee BOC DONATION SUPPORT MEMBER
| ||
| Doug Eggleston (Eggman) BOC PALADINUsername: Eggman Post Number: 740 Registered: 7-2003 Rating: N/A |
six deer???/ wow, your freezer must be stuffed with deer meat Bryan. BOC DONATION SUPPORT MEMBER eggman in central Missouri "freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose" | ||
| Bryan Shrum (Whistler) BOC STAFFUsername: Whistler Post Number: 6244 Registered: 7-2002 Rating: N/A |
Yep, got enough for the year now. I'll bring some to the next gathering we are at together and show you how it's supposed to be done Doug. Bryan Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee BOC DONATION SUPPORT MEMBER
| ||
| blake duncan (Snakecotc)  BOC SQUIREUsername: Snakecotc Post Number: 111 Registered: 8-2003 Rating: N/A |
cant say i would shoot any deer less than 120 lbs or so, but thats just personal preference. | ||
| Mark Williams (Bentpole)  BOC PROTECTORUsername: Bentpole Post Number: 388 Registered: 9-2003 Rating: N/A |
Havn't even started hunting yet,this year.Freezer's low.When I do ,White brown,Blue Green or Purple,I don't care I'll kill them all,haha >>>>Bentpole It's better to ask forgiveness,Than for permission. Oneonta,Alabama | ||
| John Preston Baze (Jpb72639) BOC STAFFUsername: Jpb72639 Post Number: 3342 Registered: 3-2002  Rating: N/A |
well,we ain't got many of them grain fed deer here in n arkansas,a big buck up here goes 120 as far as a white deer,the genes pop up ever now and then no ryme or reason,nothin special about them cept the color or lack of it,the meat is the same as any other deer meat so if they get up ta shootin size then they are fair game here and should be anywhere,they are pretty but if they are protected it leaves natural selection kinda out of the picture,to protect a color is not biologically sound and in the long run will hurt the population in places where it is done JMHO JPB Harriet,Arkansas Tight lines and bent poles my bretheren B.O.C  take a youngun fishin,they are the future. BOC DONATION SUPPORT MEMBER
| ||
| Thomas L. Constant,Jr. (Riverratsc) BOC PALADINUsername: Riverratsc Post Number: 589 Registered: 8-2003  Rating: N/A |
My ex-brother-in-law killed a Whitetail that was a little over half white. He had the whole deer mounted. They are a few around where I live. Thomas "River Rat' Constant Gaffney,South Carolina The Broad River fishing master. | ||
| matt carpenter (Southcats)  BOC KNIGHTUsername: Southcats Post Number: 205 Registered: 8-2002 Rating: N/A |
interesting article i myself have only seen one pure white deer in the wild but have seen many of pibalds i actually shot a pibald this year i have a pic of it in the photo section ive heard alot of stories that they bring bad luck if you shoot them a old indian myth i suppose | ||
| Jerry Miller BOC INITIATE Username: Beandaddy_bear Post Number: 70 Registered: 12-2003  Rating: N/A |
I saw a pure white deer this year on my lease. I was told it was a Fallow. I thought about shooting her but thought against it. She also was solid white with red eyes though. Beandaddy Jerry Miller When It's Too Tough For everyone else It's Just Right for Me!!! | ||
| Donnie Goins BOC PALADINUsername: Quadman Post Number: 898 Registered: 5-2002  Rating: N/A |
I'd shoot an albino in a heart beat! I wouldn't think twice about it! Then I would take it and have a full body mount done. VIRGINIA IS FOR CATFISH LOVERS Danville,Virginia | ||
| frank liversedge BOC PALADINUsername: Captain22street Post Number: 784 Registered: 10-2002  Rating: N/A |
My mother in law had a place near Ukiah Calif. on Cow Mountain, desolute but sort of expensive realestate are. This area had a motel called the White Deer Inn. I saw several white deer in that area over the 5 years she lived there. They looked the same as regular coastal deer we have, in fact many times they were standing side by side with each other and looked identical except for color, they did not have red eyes like most albino species. It was a no hunting area so I never bagged one, but always wondered if white deer were a species or just an oddity. 
| ||
| Kyle Snider (Ambassadeur) BOC INITIATE Username: Ambassadeur Post Number: 55 Registered: 12-2003 Rating: N/A |
I have heard that Albinos have underlying problems. I cannot remember where I read it but I wish I could find it and show it to you all. The problems I believe involved bone and joint problems along with a series of others. Just thought I would put that in and see if anyone else has heard of it. Kyle Snider -When you are committed to something you accept no excuses and produce only results- | ||
| Adam Foster (Catfishkiller29) BOC PALADINUsername: Catfishkiller29 Post Number: 881 Registered: 12-2002  Rating: N/A |
i heard they are steril any how so they cant pass on there genes does any one know if this is true?  ________________NORTHERN KENTUCKY_______________ | ||
| Mark Williams (Bentpole) BOC PALADINUsername: Bentpole Post Number: 698 Registered: 9-2003  Rating: N/A |
I don't think they are steril,reason I say that is I seen an albino doe once & she had 2 fawn's with her.Both of them was normal colored.>>>>Bentpole It's better to ask forgiveness,Than for permission. Oneonta,Alabama | ||
| Adam Foster (Catfishkiller29) BOC PALADINUsername: Catfishkiller29 Post Number: 883 Registered: 12-2002 Rating: N/A |
Makes sence to me mark ________________NORTHERN KENTUCKY_______________ | ||
| Johnny W. Smith (Maine) BOC KNIGHTUsername: Maine Post Number: 260 Registered: 9-2002  Rating: |
Buddy of mine sent me this picture. Don't know whether you fellas have seen it. Seems as though the deer have come full circle. It is said that these deer are even more rare than albino...  maine  | ||
| Jon Saxon (Verotik) BOC PALADINUsername: Verotik Post Number: 1403 Registered: 6-2002  Rating: N/A |
Now that is odd looking...  Harrison, Arkansas GO HOGS! WOOOOOO PIG SOOOIIEEE! Proud supporter of the Brotherhood of Catfisherman | ||
| chad kilpatrick (Km5qf) BOC SQUIREUsername: Km5qf Post Number: 155 Registered: 2-2005  Rating: N/A |
Wow, of course today IS april first hahahah but seriously, ive heard of melanistic deer but never even seen a picture of one before now, way cool. - - - cq cq de km5qf qrz? | ||
| James Holler (Lakerat) BOC INITIATE Username: Lakerat Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2002  Rating: N/A |
I have always been told that an albino deer was a result of inbreeding among deer in a small area.I can not honestly answer weather or not I would shoot an albino. I know if it had a decent rack I would. The rareity of the deer even a doe would be hard to pass up though.I can say if it were a one and a half year old deer I doubt I would ever click off the safety. Some of the best known navigaters did not know where they were they were going 'till they got there...Buffetism | ||
| Ronald D. Sisseck (Seadog) BOC INITIATE Username: Seadog Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2005 Rating: N/A |
IT's illegal to take a albino in the state of Washington too. I have not seen one in the Spokane area, they must be a sight. Take care!!} | ||
| Eric L. Pettigrew (Ericthetallone) BOC KNIGHTUsername: Ericthetallone Post Number: 263 Registered: 4-2004  Rating: N/A |
I'd shoot an albino in a heartbeat *picks up my camera, shoots it* but i wouldn't kill it. It may be a freak of inbreeding or whatever, but it's still too beautiful for me to kill. Now, I've seen a black whitetail around here. It jumped me when I was on my way home once, but luckily I missed it with my car *mutters* stupid suicidal deer. And no, it wasn't that I startled it, it stood still until I got past it and then started running alongside the car, trying to get back in front of me! Now wait, is it 5 days of work, 2 days of fishing or 5 days of fishing, 2 days of work? I never can remember..... | ||
| mark johnson (Mark_j)  BOC ROYALTYUsername: Mark_j Post Number: 2492 Registered: 9-2003  Rating: N/A |
i used to see an albino doe just about every morning on hwy 55 leaving fuquay headed to apex. right along where they built that old folks community. i was pulling the ranger to the lake one saturday morning about 5am for a date with some bass. as i wheeled through downtown fuquay and was making my turn on 42 to head to harris lake i had to stop. there was an impressive buck just trotting down the middle of the street there abouts western auto.  If it aint a Stelling it aint loud enough. | ||
| Eric L. Pettigrew (Ericthetallone) BOC PROTECTORUsername: Ericthetallone Post Number: 304 Registered: 4-2004 Rating: N/A |
hey Mark...if you go to Harris using that route every time, you pass withing 10 miles of my house lol. I live right out of Duncan, down on the river between Buckhorn and Lillington Now wait, is it 5 days of work, 2 days of fishing or 5 days of fishing, 2 days of work? I never can remember..... | ||
| Harley David Myrick (Cat_fisher_harley) BOC INITIATE Username: Cat_fisher_harley Post Number: 67 Registered: 6-2005 Rating: N/A |
i tell u what those kinda deer dont need shot in my opinion they r too few and far between to just kill like they r nothin | ||
| mark johnson (Mark_j) BOC ROYALTYUsername: Mark_j Post Number: 2681 Registered: 9-2003 Rating: |
they are screwed up genetically, why are they so special? they just have white hair. if you want to base your train of thought that way, why not say trophy deer shouldnt be killed because they are so few and far between? because they are. If it aint a Stelling it aint loud enough. | ||
| Kevin Butts (Bulldaddy) BOC SQUIREUsername: Bulldaddy Post Number: 163 Registered: 5-2005  Rating: N/A |
You would think that the albino deer would have the deck stacked against them due to kack of camo(unless it is snowing which it don't do much of in Louisiana) If it was a legal deer I would shoot it and not be concerned with doing it. Ba$$es? We don't need no stinkin Ba$$es! | ||
| Bill Goss (Kentucky357) BOC SQUIREUsername: Kentucky357 Post Number: 134 Registered: 5-2005  Rating: N/A |
I hunt for deer MEAT! not a certain color of deer! I think all deer are beautiful (brown,white,black, or purple lol ) and ALL deer are awesome to watch and look at. They all taste awesome too! Ohh, And By The Way...If it hairlips ya to hear about a deer hunter, legally hunting deer, and killing a deer(reguardless of color)... I heard PETA has a few openings! Help somebody if you can! | ||
| Bill Goss (Kentucky357) BOC SQUIREUsername: Kentucky357 Post Number: 158 Registered: 5-2005 Rating: N/A |
WOW, thats funny, No response to the PETA remark??? Help somebody if you can! | ||
| Lionel Burch (Flaboy) BOC KNIGHTUsername: Flaboy Post Number: 259 Registered: 2-2005  Rating: N/A |
Hey folks, remember PETA stands for People Eating Tasty Animals, homosapiens have been members for all recorded past, some recient idiots have tried to change that in the last 50 or so years, but Remember, Animals STILL Taste GOOD! Howbout yall all joinin the vegetarin movement! I did and I feel so great about iT! I only eat vegetables, and since you are what you eat! I can eat a cow as it is Grass- organically processed. Catfish eat minnows and worms that are organically processed alge (a kinda of grass) whatcha think? i wonder about eating tiger, thats a two step process(or should I say a double processed vegatable) I doubt i'll see one this huntin season round here but if I shoot one I ain't gonna let it go to waste!  Politicians and Diapers, They both need to be changed often and for the same reason! | ||
| Chuck Johnson (Chuckjohnson3) BOC PALADINUsername: Chuckjohnson3 Post Number: 467 Registered: 5-2005  Rating: N/A |
When I hunt All I see is a walking sandwich I don't see color OK OK IF is white I see a sandwich with MAYO......LOL  Times with bait and NO money are better then times with money and NO Bait |
