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Reporter: Chris Woodard Email

Your Stories: Hunter Shoots Two Deer Stuck Together

POSTED: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 --- 4:26 p.m.

This is one of "Your Stories."

What may be the strangest story of Wisconsin's deer hunting season gets more interesting today as brand new home video is uncovered.

Two deer stuck together and one hunter so confused he had to call the DNR to find out what to do.

It's a moment rarely captured on camera.

Two deer stuck together, trying desperately to free themselves. They are two deer that never succeeded and ended up giving a central Wisconsin hunter one heck of a surprise on opening weekend.

Jon Christian says, "The rush of skydiving, seeing these two hooked together was that rush all over again."

Christian was in his stand on private land near Montello Sunday morning when the two deer came walking in.

He says, "I thought it was just one huge gigantic buck."

When he saw it was two big bucks locked together he weighed his options and shot one hoping the other would free itself.

It didn't and no amount of human force he applied could break them apart.

Christian had no idea what to do so right there in the middle of the woods he called the DNR.

He says, "She goes do you have a violation to report and I'm like no I'm trying to prevent a violation."

A warden came to see it for herself and gave Christian permission to shoot the other buck.

She told him there is no policy for this type of thing because bucks locked together are rarely found alive.

The deer will now stay locked together forever. They're at the taxidermist where Christian is having both heads mounted and leaving the horns locked.

Last night on a whim Christian's brother-in-law decided to check his trail cam just hoping to catch a glimpse.

John Stadler says, "I was floored. I couldn't believe it."

There they were, recorded Friday night. Two deer locked together for at least 2 days who had done everything they could to try to free themselves before becoming one awfully unique trophy for a shocked hunter.


Comments (20)

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  • by Jon Location: yup on Nov 26, 2010 at 08:21 AM
    To those that dont understand; I hunt for food not sport. I hunt for herd management not BIG BUCK. The desire for buck to fight is ingrained in their dna. I did try to free the two after I shot my allowed one. This was a very stupid move on my part and could have gotten severly injured. The story doesnt tell also that deer that have been locked for an extended period of time usually die from a capture syndrome that cancels the desire to thrive. Harvesting these deer was the right thing to do, and you also werent there as we discussed the correct path. Another thing the article does not tell you is that the other deer was injured and had a spot on its neck rubbed thru by the other deers antler. This most likely would have been become infected do to its location. I enjoy the outdoors of Wisconsin as much as the next person. And it was very difficult for me to watch that other deer stuggle until the DNR arrived. I never said getting shot doesnt hurt but this was the best solution.
  • by Anonymous on Nov 24, 2010 at 05:35 PM
    It's too bad they didn't just cut the horn on the 2nd deer and let it run. Also,Ralph,when you call the tipline,they are going to ask if you have a violation to report.
  • by Elmer Location: Madison on Nov 24, 2010 at 03:10 PM
    @not-a-hunter - Please remain "not a hunter" as you don't have a clue. Can you please explain to me how there would be pain to a deer that is shot and immediately killed? And how would that be worse than dying over the course of a week, slowly of starvation? I trust that since you know all about this that you could tell us what the humane way would be to handle this situation.
  • by Elmer Location: Madison on Nov 24, 2010 at 03:07 PM
    @Christina - Your quote "I live in the country and almost never see deer in the road but during hunting season they are all over the road" is wrong. It isn't the hunters that make deer more active. This time of year is their breeding season ("The Rut") and they are very active as they look to mate. Whether we hunt them or not you are going to see a lot more deer in the road since they are more active and the only thing on their minds is mating. Before you go spouting off on something you don't understand, you may want to make sure what you are saying is correct.
  • by Anonymous Location: Madison on Nov 24, 2010 at 02:35 PM
    Game Wardens are necessary. Not all hunters are respectful of the law. It appears that all involved had the best interest of the deer in mind. This is a very unusual situation. Congratulations to the hunters and the Warden for their professionalism.
  • by Jen Location: WI on Nov 24, 2010 at 02:13 PM
    To the hunter that got them, kudos! What a rare thing to see, and it's a good thing you found them before they starved to death. To the whiners who think it's mean to hunt, I LOL at you people. You just love to save the "cute and beautiful" animals, but you don't think twice about something "ugly" getting killed in the names of medicine, food or even beauty products. Eat your salads and let those of us who appreciate the job that hunters do to save the deer from overpopulation and starvation enjoy stories like these.
  • by deer hunter for life Location: tree stand on Nov 24, 2010 at 12:42 PM
    horrible, this is wisconsin. deer hunting is like a religion to many. tho i dont agree with the hunters that shot deer just cuz they can and dont eat it. as too beatiful animals... they make the best shoulder mount over any other animal( just my opinion i have othewr animals)
  • by Dan Location: Madison on Nov 24, 2010 at 12:24 PM
    To Christina... Are you aware of how the rut works for deer in WI? The rut is the breeding period for deer. The bucks become more active in chasine a doe and that in turn keeps the doe moving. That's why you see so many deer around this time of year. It just so happens deer hunting season coincides with this breeding period. So be before you blame hunters for moving deer around... Know your facts.
  • by RUSTY Location: MADISON on Nov 24, 2010 at 11:50 AM
    Want to know what our fine DNR did to me this past weekend. While hunting in the woods, DNR Wardens stopped by where we park. A relative was at his car, and the wardens asked if they could look inside. He said yes. Then, they walked over to my car, and asked who's it was. He told them, and they proceeded to open my car up, and search it. Not a complete search, but they did look through things. Last time I checked, they needed consent to search, unless they had some type of PC for a search, which they didnt. What a joke.
  • by Dont Like it Location: Dont Read it on Nov 24, 2010 at 10:15 AM
    To horrible....NBC15 needs to be and remain an unbiased source of news, while you may not like reading about these stories there are others in the viewing area who are avid hunters and outdoorsmen and women would enjoy seeing and hearing about the uniqueness of this story. It is no different than an angler who might catch a huge trophy fish in a Dane County lake. I also agree that while hunting may be frowned upon by some it is a needed management tool to keep the herds in check. Look at CWD if that wasnt managed the deer would suffer a terrible death and it could wipe out the entire deer population meaning there wouldnt be anymore of these "beautiful animals" around to admire. Think before you speak!
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