Sad Day

[Len B]

I just discovered that sometime last year someone using a small caliber gun killed at least 10 adult box turtles on the property at my Md house,and no telling how many more might be found on mine and the adjoining properties, probably a kid with a new 22 rifle,Hearing gunfire is not uncommon there,We have a 100 yard firing range near the back line, that is used by friends,even deputies from the county sheriffs department use it.So hearing a gun go off isn't a cause for concern. What bothers me most is I have spent 25 years trying to maintain the eastern box turtle (and copperhead) population in what I thought was a safe area.Now it's back to work, but the only problem is I gave all my adult breeders away last fall, more will come my way thru adoption hopefully. Everything happens for a reason, we might not understand it right away, but I believe it does.

 

[dmmj]

That's disgusting, while I advocate hunting this is just wrong on so many levels, what a shame to hear.

 

[ascott]

That is such devastating news.....

 

[Yvonne G]

When you stop to think of the logistics of it, it was pure evil. There's no way a shooter could have seen a box turtle from far away, they had to have stumbled upon it up close and personal. What fun is that, shooting a fish in a barrel. Disgusting.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I keep my acreage posted "No Guns Allowed - Trespassers will be prosecuted" just because of such idiocy...I do allow bow-hunting by trusted friends, but nobody else, after I found a few of my stock riddled with bullets.

Of the idiots I've caught (and pressed charges against), in every case they were city kids out looking for something to shoot, not legitimate hunters.

 

[terryo]

That is awful Len. I don't know why I always get so shocked when I hear of such cruelty I will never understand these things.

 

[lynnedit]

Awful.
That is not a skill, it is cruelty.

 

[cemmons12]

I'm so sorry to hear this! I'm fine with hunting/fishing as long as your going to eat what you hunt, or eat or release the fish you catch. But in noway could I ever be fine with killing turtles/tortoises, even if I was starving! Just the same as I would feel about killing a dog/cat, or any of the other animals I have had or raised over the past 40 years. I think I will just stick to the normal things I have ate all my life. I hope you never have anymore things like this happen. I wish you all the best! Sorry for the little rant, sleeping meds make me a little goofy sometimes when they kick in....

 

[Tom]

WTH? There is just no reason for this. Someone needs to learn a hard lesson in being kind to animals...

 

[Peaches bts]

That is just cruel. I am so sorry for your loss Len. I hope those people get what they deserve.

 

[Blakem]

I am sorry for your loss. I do not get peoples thoughts on animals sometimes. Even though they are put into the category of an "animal", does not mean they should be treated in any cruel manner. What a bunch of wussies. I am not the type of person who shows people anything in a physical manner but, I would like to show them what being tough is. Using a gun in the wrong way is not a way to do that.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Very sad and pathetic!

 

[BrookeB]

thats not hunting... I hunt and that is just killing for no reason when you hunt or fish you take what is needed and when would you ever want to kill a tortoise... some sadistic kid just wanted to test out his daddys gun or some crap. I am so sorry that pisses me off..

 

[acrantophis]

So sad. I wish I was there to stop them.

 

[Angi]

This is very sad and makes me sick. I am very sorry you have to deal with stupid people doing stupid things near your home....and on your property, I bet you feel violated

 

[jackrat]

My heart goes out to you. That is terrible.

 

[Len B]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, I'm old,seen many unthinkable things, it takes a lot to shock me,I am not shocked that this happened, but really disappointed. It's not like I am there everyday caring for them or checking on them, they live their own lives, the only thing that is done for them is keeping the raccoon population in check,which seems to explode every few years, there are people that disagree with doing this, but it is done by whatever means necessary. I have not seen any of the dead turtles, but ask about one very old female that is so old that her shell is worn so much that the bone is showing,she was not one of them. I saw her about 8 years ago with a male locked to her, haven't seen her since,hopefully she is still wandering around looking for a mate. Maybe the person that did this,(after thinking about it), realized how stupid it was and wont do it again.

 

[Baoh]

Shameful. I am sorry you have been made to endure this.

 

[CLMoss]

Wow, I am glad that I can afford to buy my food at the strip mall. I would hate to see any animal die. To kill any animal for a thrill is sick.