It hasn't been a great week for nature reserves this week.

A red deer was killed on Blacka Moor over the weekend, and part of it was left in one of the car parks to be found on Monday morning.
Local people and the staff of the Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham, who manage the reserve, are understandably upset.

The police have been informed, and feel that this has been done by poachers. Apparently they often leave part of their kill to be found as a gesture of defiance.
It boggles my mind. First that they do it, and second that they feel the need to shove it down the throat of others in such a way. I'm sure it speaks to some very telling psychological issues.

I know lots of people visit Blacka Moor to walk and cycle and ride horses. Please, if you do go, keep an eye out for this kind of activity and if you see anything that concerns you phone the police on 0114 2202020.
If there has been damage to the site, phone the Trust on 0114 2634335.

This came up in the Centenary Riverside thread, but I think it merits its own thread. You can't keep an eye out if you don't know you need to.

That is both really sad and sick!
If the poachers want the deer, just take it - there's no need to leave sickening evidence of their antics behind for some poor soul to come across.

I used to love riding up Blacka Moor but unfortunately don't ride any more.

Really sorry to hear that this is happening and in such a lovely place :(

Maybe food prices are too high?

The police have been informed, and feel that this has been done by poachers. Apparently they often leave part of their kill to be found as a gesture of defiance.I think you'll find poachers often leave that part of their kill, which is of no economical value to them whatsoever...rather than as a "gesture of defiance".

A bit more common sense, a bit less gullibility, please :)

I wasn't even aware that Red Deer lived at Blacka Moor till now. What's the estimate of the red Deer population there?

I've only ever seen them in the Scottish Highlands and at Lyme park near Stockport. They're very impressive animals.

I think you'll find poachers often leave that part of their kill, which is of no economical value to them whatsoever...rather than as a "gesture of defiance".

A bit more common sense, a bit less gullibility, please :)

I am reporting back on what the wildlife officers said. As they know their job rather better than I - and probably you - do, I'll take their word for it.

It was the deer's head, which may not be entirely edible, but certainly does make quite the statement placed in a prominent position, as it was, first thing in the morning.

I.e. it was very clearly meant not just to be found, but to be seen.

I think if I was poaching for food/monetary gain, I'd try to hide the evidence so I could go back for more without being caught out.

I wasn't even aware that Red Deer lived at Blacka Moor till now. What's the estimate of the red Deer population there?

I've only ever seen them in the Scottish Highlands and at Lyme park near Stockport. They're very impressive animals.

Your best bet is to pop up there very early in the morning. It's their breeding season, so you may well find them posturing about on the hills.

Sorry, I'm not sure of the numbers.

I am reporting back on what the wildlife officers said. As they know their job rather better than I - and probably you - do, I'll take their word for it.

It was the deer's head, which may not be entirely edible, but certainly does make quite the statement placed in a prominent position, as it was, first thing in the morning.

I.e. it was very clearly meant not just to be found, but to be seen.
Rather scuppering your theory...Not a theory. I have dealt with poaching and poachers for many years, on-and-off (Continental Europe, as a hunter paying for the privilege and -as a result- legally responsible for wildlife on the hunting territory). I have yet to hear about, or come across, poachers who "make statements". Was it only the head? Or was the animal also skinned and gutted on site (sorry to be graphic)? Was the head found near where their transport would have been based (to take carcass away)?

Unless the poachers have an 'order' for a mount (head inc. antlers), a stag head is both the most cumbersome part to transport, and the most obvious evidence if/when the poachers were to be stopped and the vehicle looked over. It makes perfect (criminal) sense to just take it off and leave it by (the car park/pathway/etc.)

Of course, I cannot discount the possibility of a 'statement' entirely (after all, and unfortunately, no limit can be imposed upon human stupidity), but it would be very atypical ...or -and most likely- result from, or be caused by, an ongoing feud (with wildlife officers and/or locals).

Be that as it may, a sad state of affairs, to be sure.

It hasn't been a great week for nature reserves this week.

A red deer was killed on Blacka Moor over the weekend, and part of it was left in one of the car parks to be found on Monday morning.
Local people and the staff of the Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham, who manage the reserve, are understandably upset.

The police have been informed, and feel that this has been done by poachers. Apparently they often leave part of their kill to be found as a gesture of defiance.
It boggles my mind. First that they do it, and second that they feel the need to shove it down the throat of others in such a way. I'm sure it speaks to some very telling psychological issues.

I know lots of people visit Blacka Moor to walk and cycle and ride horses. Please, if you do go, keep an eye out for this kind of activity and if you see anything that concerns you phone the police on 0114 2202020.
If there has been damage to the site, phone the Trust on 0114 2634335.

This came up in the Centenary Riverside thread, but I think it merits its own thread. You can't keep an eye out if you don't know you need to.

Which car park was it, I'm out and about on the moor on a regular basis, so will keep my eyes peeled?

It hasn't been a great week for nature reserves this week.

A red deer was killed on Blacka Moor over the weekend, and part of it was left in one of the car parks to be found on Monday morning.
Local people and the staff of the Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham, who manage the reserve, are understandably upset.

The police have been informed, and feel that this has been done by poachers. Apparently they often leave part of their kill to be found as a gesture of defiance.
It boggles my mind. First that they do it, and second that they feel the need to shove it down the throat of others in such a way. I'm sure it speaks to some very telling psychological issues.

I know lots of people visit Blacka Moor to walk and cycle and ride horses. Please, if you do go, keep an eye out for this kind of activity and if you see anything that concerns you phone the police on 0114 2202020.
If there has been damage to the site, phone the Trust on 0114 2634335.

This came up in the Centenary Riverside thread, but I think it merits its own thread. You can't keep an eye out if you don't know you need to.

Whoever did that need shooting themselves, saddos....:(

Stony Ridge, I think, but I can't be sure.

Be careful out and about, poachers could easily injure a passerby, though I daresay they do it at unsociable hours.

Stony Ridge, I think, but I can't be sure.

Be careful out and about, poachers could easily injure a passerby, though I daresay they do it at unsociable hours.

I was thinking of getting a registration number and passing it on, if they've shot the deer and cut it's head off they are obviously well armed. However a pair of binoculars and a digital camera could be mightier than the sword in this case.

I have joked with a couple of mates of mine about " boink, or bonk" and that was to get a sheep and kill it, bonk it on the head, we never did it, and it was a drunken joke, but I can see it coming true with the hard times we are going to have to put up with, not by me, but poaching - not for profit, is going to increase. No Qualms - if I was starving i'd do it. AND SO WOULD YOU!. - not selling - eating.
condone us/me if you can!

I have joked with a couple of mates of mine about " boink, or bonk" and that was to get a sheep and kill it, bonk it on the head, we never did it, and it was a drunken joke, but I can see it coming true with the hard times we are going to have to put up with, not by me, but poaching - not for profit, is going to increase. No Qualms - if I was starving i'd do it. AND SO WOULD YOU!. - not selling - eating.
condone us/me if you can!

I wonder what aardvarks taste like. :rolleyes:

I do a lot of walking on our moors, sometimes at night too.
Up to now i've not seen any poachers about but i often see deer.
I'll be keeping a look out for these two hats.

I was approached by 2 men in the Dore Moor pub this lunchtime, who offered me 8 legs of Venison for £40.
Does anyone think thats too dear?

I was approached by 2 men in the Dore Moor pub this lunchtime, who offered me 8 legs of Venison for £40.
Does anyone think thats too dear?

That's about as funny as gout. :loopy:

That's about as funny as gout. :loopy:

You must suffer as well, aint it painfull -

sounds like a bargin...

I think you'll find poachers often leave that part of their kill, which is of no economical value to them whatsoever...rather than as a "gesture of defiance".

A bit more common sense, a bit less gullibility, please :)

you got it one.

Is it only me who finds most of the replies in this thread distasteful, to say the least. ?
This is our wildlife, people put a whole lot of work into looking after these creatures, i'm staggered anyone can find anything funny about the demise of this magnificent and rare creature. :mad:

I looked up Red Deer and Blacka Moor. I never realised there was such a seething mass of resentment and contention over the whole issue. It seems a lot of people aren't happy with the way it is managed by Sheffield Wildlife Trust.

Check these links out -

http://friendsofblackamoor.co.uk/thestory.aspx

http://friendsofblackamoor.co.uk/naturereserve.aspx

http://theblackamoorsite.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-dear-are-deer-to-swt-and-nigel.html

Is it only me who finds most of the replies in this thread distasteful, to say the least. ?
This is our wildlife, people put a whole lot of work into looking after these creatures, i'm staggered anyone can find anything funny about the demise of this magnificent and rare creature. :mad:

No I fully agree and some of the saddos who think its funny need to get a life