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September 01, 2009
What's A Buck Worth - 14
by Doug Howlett
When an armed 21-year-old Dustin Cole Jernigan broke into a central Florida game farm to kill a trophy-size buck he knew what he was doing illegal. What he probably didn’t realize is exactly how much it was going to cost him. Besides four years’ probation and a fine of $500 plus court costs, a judge recently ordered the poacher to pay a whopping $68,000 in restitution. "That's a huge sum of restitution that would be a big number in any case we dealt with," State attorney Bill Cervone told the Gainseville Sun. And for Jernigan that may be just the tip of the iceberg. Shadd’s Game Farm owner John Shadd told the Sun that he is considering civil litigation. The 12-point buck, Peabody, was a stud deer that weighed about 220 pounds and was only 3 years old. After Jernigan killed the animal, he apparently caped it out and took the rack and cape to a local taxidermist where it was found. Dwight Knight, president of the Florida Deer Association and familiar with the case, said Peabody was tame and likely came right up to his killer. "He basically went in there and killed a pet," Knight said. Shadd had originally requested restitution of around $80,000 for the animal, yet damage requests in a civil lawsuit could go much higher. The article reports that a breeder buck in the pen next to Peabody recently sold for $750,000. That seems like an absurd amount for any animal short of a racing horse. However, with the money huge these deer can bring in high-fence operations where some people apparently don’t mind spending thousands upon thousands of dollars for the relatively easy chance to kill a really huge buck, the genetic offspring a really good breeder can create is akin to having your own money machine. My first glimpse of the absurd value people will pay to kill a guaranteed big buck came years ago during a turkey hunt in Pennsylvania. During my hunt, I was staying in a lodge that was on the grounds of a high fence deer operation. It was darn near five-star accommodations and when my guide filled me in on what some of those people paid to come there and whack a sure-bet wallhanger, my mouth dropped open. Touring the facility, we came upon a happy father and his two sons all posing with their trophies. I would venture each rocking chair-sized rack was in the 170s to 180s. “Each one of those bucks are worth about $20,000,” my guide whispered to me. I looked at the smiling group and their excitement seemed as genuine as if they had taken the trophies on their own farmland. I had met them earlier and they were all nice enough folks. The father said he brought them there every year because they loved the accommodations and service. As for the high-fence thing, basically he had the money, not much time and this guaranteed that they would all leave with something to decorate their wall. I guess for me, it’s the journey, not the destination. High fence hunting just holds no appeal for me. Or maybe I just don’t have enough money in my bank account to be able to relate. I’m trying not to judge. It’s just not my thing. Odds are Dustin Cole Jernigan doesn’t have the money to relate either. But as a result of the foolish motivations that must drive most poachers, he got his guaranteed high-fence trophy. Now he’s about to pay for it.
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Comments (14)
"After Jernigan killed the animal, he apparently caped it out and took the rack and cape to a local taxidermist..." Smart kid taking a famous high dollar deer to a local taxidermist.
Even if it is a high fence deer, he still poached it so kudos for the judge slapping him with those restitution fines.
This kid is a blot on the name hunter. He needs to have a lifetime suspension of all of his hunting privileges. And probably needs to be neutered so he doesn't pass on of his obviously defective genes.
I don't feel the least bit sorry for this kid. It's a lot of money but not nearly what the deer was worth to it's owner.
Not a fan of high fenced hunts,it's not the kill it's the hunt.But defenitly not a fan of pouchers either.Jernigan got what he deserves,only wish the judges in these parts would do the same to the jugheads around hear.
Some people hunt for the wrong things some times this is the perfect example. If you hunt for money or fame & you have self control problems you should not be out there. This kid was probly taught wrong so he did wrong he probly never learned how to enjoy the time out there with the wild life. Good to see a stiff fine though hope this kid gets a diffrent sport
gotta love those weekend warriors, hunt deer in a fence ha, even if i was rich id still hunt the REAL way, and what a dumb you know what like nobody would realize that was the deer ha good serves him right
Story related...
Can't get blood out of a turnip. I'm guessing anyone that is stupid enough to scale a high-fence, stick a carrot out for old Peabody, shoot him, and then take him to a local taxidermist...probably doesn't have the brains to come up with $80,000, much less $750,000.
Side note...
I don't generally put down fellow outdoorsmen, but the high-fence farms have started to bother me lately. The more sophisticated 'hunters' become, the more likely we lose great stories like Milo Hanson...a normal joe-schmoe farmer that killed the world record. I understand that high-fenced bucks are not considered for the world records, but at the rate we are going as a group...at some point there will be an awful lot of bickering in the hunting community as to what should and should not be considered for the record books.
VAhunter has some very good points and I have to say I agree.. It's unfortunate how many trophy bucks are being taken in high fence units. I'm pretty proud of my home state on this aspect. I believe there might only be a couple fence units in the whole state. I've never looked into them so I have no idea for sure. I do know with complete certainty that there are none within 150 miles of my hunting grounds and it's some of the best deer country in the state. Absolutely anyone who has had the opportunity to hunt wild game in their natural habitat HAS to appreciate the hunt for what it is. I hope, as a hunter, no one prefers caged hunting if they know what the real stuff provides. I'll keep hunting my way though.. and I'll pass it on to my kids as well.. That's about all I can guarantee..
I've been in a high fenced hunting area,did some tractor work for a owner about 10 years ago.Just being on the grounds watching deer,elk and variuos other animals stroll around like I wasn't even there,made me stop and realize that this isn't hunting.The owner offered a hunt in exchange for payment,but I refused.Like I always say it's not the kill it's the hunt,I get excited when I see does walk into the area.This jug head that shot this deer,got what he deserves,but unfortunatly he propably never pay the resitution.Possibly he'll get a contempt of court for not paying and do more jail time.
There are no winners in this situation. I don't think high fence hunting is real hunting for hunters. These are for people who think they like to hunt. There is a difference between people who occasionally go on a hunt and hunters. A true hunter is one who eats, sleeps, and breathes the act of hunting. That is what sets us apart. The people like that who just hunt occasionally do not, cannot understand why we are driven to do what we do and therefore are the poorer for it. I may not have financial wealth but my life has been enriched by the time I have spent in the outdoors pursuing wild game.
Bo,
Amen brother!!!!!
I 2nd that A MAN!!!
I've given this a lot of thought over the past few times that it has come up (high fences) - It is a BUSINESS and a business only. Too many young folks these days growing up watching Buckmasters, Realtree Outdoors, etc on TV. They go out and if they don't see that 160+ class buck within 20 minutes of being on stand, they're bored. I like to watch certain shows, but I've been around long enough to know there are more days without than with. I guess what I'm saying is, the high fence ops almost guarantee something. Just my 2 cents. Oh yeah, the guy was moron.
Fenced hunts are like bringing exotics to the US detromental to our natural environment and more fuel for the anti hunting organizations.
The kid poached he was wrong, He got what he deserved.
If the deer were raised like domesticated cattle,bison, hogs etc in a fence than they should be reserved for a slaughter house and sold on he open market. Not used for the enjoyment of some rich guy who wants a big set of antlers on his wall. I mean seriously what kind of story would you tell. There I was in my jeans and t shirt, he come walkin out the pen into and along the fence to the carrots, and apples we put out for him and they closed the gate and bang it was done now here he is. Corporate greed and all.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Not a fan of high fenced hunts,it's not the kill it's the hunt.But defenitly not a fan of pouchers either.Jernigan got what he deserves,only wish the judges in these parts would do the same to the jugheads around hear.
"After Jernigan killed the animal, he apparently caped it out and took the rack and cape to a local taxidermist..." Smart kid taking a famous high dollar deer to a local taxidermist.
Even if it is a high fence deer, he still poached it so kudos for the judge slapping him with those restitution fines.
This kid is a blot on the name hunter. He needs to have a lifetime suspension of all of his hunting privileges. And probably needs to be neutered so he doesn't pass on of his obviously defective genes.
I don't feel the least bit sorry for this kid. It's a lot of money but not nearly what the deer was worth to it's owner.
There are no winners in this situation. I don't think high fence hunting is real hunting for hunters. These are for people who think they like to hunt. There is a difference between people who occasionally go on a hunt and hunters. A true hunter is one who eats, sleeps, and breathes the act of hunting. That is what sets us apart. The people like that who just hunt occasionally do not, cannot understand why we are driven to do what we do and therefore are the poorer for it. I may not have financial wealth but my life has been enriched by the time I have spent in the outdoors pursuing wild game.
Some people hunt for the wrong things some times this is the perfect example. If you hunt for money or fame & you have self control problems you should not be out there. This kid was probly taught wrong so he did wrong he probly never learned how to enjoy the time out there with the wild life. Good to see a stiff fine though hope this kid gets a diffrent sport
gotta love those weekend warriors, hunt deer in a fence ha, even if i was rich id still hunt the REAL way, and what a dumb you know what like nobody would realize that was the deer ha good serves him right
Story related...
Can't get blood out of a turnip. I'm guessing anyone that is stupid enough to scale a high-fence, stick a carrot out for old Peabody, shoot him, and then take him to a local taxidermist...probably doesn't have the brains to come up with $80,000, much less $750,000.
Side note...
I don't generally put down fellow outdoorsmen, but the high-fence farms have started to bother me lately. The more sophisticated 'hunters' become, the more likely we lose great stories like Milo Hanson...a normal joe-schmoe farmer that killed the world record. I understand that high-fenced bucks are not considered for the world records, but at the rate we are going as a group...at some point there will be an awful lot of bickering in the hunting community as to what should and should not be considered for the record books.
VAhunter has some very good points and I have to say I agree.. It's unfortunate how many trophy bucks are being taken in high fence units. I'm pretty proud of my home state on this aspect. I believe there might only be a couple fence units in the whole state. I've never looked into them so I have no idea for sure. I do know with complete certainty that there are none within 150 miles of my hunting grounds and it's some of the best deer country in the state. Absolutely anyone who has had the opportunity to hunt wild game in their natural habitat HAS to appreciate the hunt for what it is. I hope, as a hunter, no one prefers caged hunting if they know what the real stuff provides. I'll keep hunting my way though.. and I'll pass it on to my kids as well.. That's about all I can guarantee..
I've been in a high fenced hunting area,did some tractor work for a owner about 10 years ago.Just being on the grounds watching deer,elk and variuos other animals stroll around like I wasn't even there,made me stop and realize that this isn't hunting.The owner offered a hunt in exchange for payment,but I refused.Like I always say it's not the kill it's the hunt,I get excited when I see does walk into the area.This jug head that shot this deer,got what he deserves,but unfortunatly he propably never pay the resitution.Possibly he'll get a contempt of court for not paying and do more jail time.
Bo,
Amen brother!!!!!
I 2nd that A MAN!!!
I've given this a lot of thought over the past few times that it has come up (high fences) - It is a BUSINESS and a business only. Too many young folks these days growing up watching Buckmasters, Realtree Outdoors, etc on TV. They go out and if they don't see that 160+ class buck within 20 minutes of being on stand, they're bored. I like to watch certain shows, but I've been around long enough to know there are more days without than with. I guess what I'm saying is, the high fence ops almost guarantee something. Just my 2 cents. Oh yeah, the guy was moron.
Fenced hunts are like bringing exotics to the US detromental to our natural environment and more fuel for the anti hunting organizations.
The kid poached he was wrong, He got what he deserved.
If the deer were raised like domesticated cattle,bison, hogs etc in a fence than they should be reserved for a slaughter house and sold on he open market. Not used for the enjoyment of some rich guy who wants a big set of antlers on his wall. I mean seriously what kind of story would you tell. There I was in my jeans and t shirt, he come walkin out the pen into and along the fence to the carrots, and apples we put out for him and they closed the gate and bang it was done now here he is. Corporate greed and all.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)