Warning: Morgan Hill State Forest

[WalksWithBlackflies]

I meant to post this earlier, but alas, it slipped my mind until now:

A week ago, I was hiking along the North Country Trail / FLT Onondaga Spur and saw a couple of herbivore carcasses, not more than 5 feet from the trail, down the embankment on east side of Shackham Road. One would be perfectly normal, but the multiple carcasses got me curious. As I glanced over the area, I noticed two skinned canines near the carcasses. It dawned on me that someone placed the carcasses there to bait coyotes, then shot and skinned them for the pelts. I left a voice mail message with the DEC immediately upon reaching home.

A couple of days ago, it dawned on me that I didn't see any blood or bullet wounds, which makes me wonder if they were poisoned.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, just take this into consideration if you're hiking in that area. To date, I haven't heard anything back from the DEC.

[whitefoot]

I was there last Friday and seen those and took some pics of them, i was wondering why there would be 2 coyotes and 2 deer there, i asumed somone just dumped them there after shooting and then skinning them, the smell was horrible, would have been nice for them to put them a little further from the trailhead.

[DRIFTER]

Although anything is possible, I doubt intentional poisoning. Poisons today are not that strong and are measured to kill by body weight. Most are sold to kill something the size of a mouse and not legal to use on any target not listed on the label. If used illegally on a coyote or something larger, at best it would get them sick and they would never go back for seconds,[ even if larger amounts were eaten]. Also, they wouldn't die all together as a group, but rather later after ingesting any poison, would wonder off to die elsewhere. That would probably hold true if there were some foreign substance that was introduced into a body of water they had all used. In that the coyotes were skinned and you have not mentioned what the herbivores were or the condition of their bodies, it is possible they were legally trapped and skinned pending on location and date. As far as the bodies being used for bait, I would imagine it would be easier to use meat scraps or canned dog food than to take the time to kill two other animals just for baiting purposes. If you do hear from DEC, I would be interested in knowing the outcome as I have found two dead deer laying next to each other in the woods out of season untouched as far as meat, trophies or hides, 15 minutes from my home! Sorry, but unfotunately, I would have alot more questions than answers.

[WalksWithBlackflies]

As of yesterday, the carcasses are still there.

I was able to talk to the local ranger, and he stated he has seen them. He placed an "order" with the local municipality to remove the carcasses. Obviously, they haven't gotten around to it. The ranger stated that he thinks that due to the proximity of the carcasses to the trailhead, someone dumped the carcasses there in some form of protest against the trail, or some hiker in particular.

[timetohike]

The ranger stated that he thinks that due to the proximity of the carcasses to the trailhead, someone dumped the carcasses there in some form of protest against the trail, or some hiker in particular.

That would concern me. Under those circumstances, I'm assuming that person would have used a firearm to kill the animals so he is probably armed. Someone who thinks "I'll kill four large animals, skin them and dump the carcases near the trail because those people walking on the trial are making me mad" is suffering from some sort of mental disruption. What might he do next?

I'm surprised that law enforcement isn't a bit more concerned about the situation.

[Hobbitling]

Or it could have been sheer laziness. people dump stuff at parking areas and trailheads all the time.

If you have coyote carcasses you dont want, call the state museum, ask for the mammalogy department. They need coyotes for a genetic study. even just the heads are welcome.

[WllrPnd]

Laziness

I would say laziness prevailed here. I have both hiked Morgan Hill State Forest quite a bit in the last 3-4 years and have talked to those who have. I think it would be safe to say poaching in there is not rare. I would not go so far as to call it common though. Several times at points between to Falls and Jones hill I have gone off on a tangent following either blood or prints only to find a doe or two with just the backstraps removed, carcass just left. My experiences have been generally in February/March, however I was there in January (with Whitefoot) and saw the carcasses in question so I imagine it happens year round.
In this case, I have to think someone dumped them by the trail because it was slightly more convenient pull off spot.

[timetohike]

I'm just thinking about what I would do if I stumbled upon a poacher while hiking. I'd consider it a very dangerous situation given that the poacher is probably armed, I am not, and I am now a witness to his law breaking. If he ran off to avoid being identified I'd probably run off in the other direction just in case he decided to be a little more certain he would not be identified.

[BushwhackingFirestar]

I see stuff dumped (Animal or garbage)at almost every State Foreat area in State. Down at Morgan there's allways crap near trailheads. You should see some of the stuff I've found back in the woods. Most problems up there are from private land owners adjacent to state land. I know of a couple guys who own land off of Eaton Hill bordering the power line trail(Legal right of way) messing with 4 wheelers going down powerlines. People think they own the woods or somthing?

AS long as your on the trail your pretty safe, Its the sick deranged people you might stumble upon on trail you need to worry about. Like the recent incident in Georgia.

Dont eat the Yellow Snow
Bushwhacking Firestarter

[cityslick]

About 10 or 12 years ago, we went up there to visit a friend who was camping off Shackham Road (not sure if it was legal). On the way in, we ran into another friend that was leaving. He told us to be careful because he had seen a man in the woods with a shot gun wearing lipstick! I've never gone back there and never will.

[chairrock]

[QUOTE=cityslick;89630]He had seen a man in the woods with a shot gun wearing lipstick! QUOTE]

Now that would make the best POSTED SIGN in the world!

[DRIFTER]

About 10 or 12 years ago, we went up there to visit a friend who was camping off Shackham Road (not sure if it was legal). On the way in, we ran into another friend that was leaving. He told us to be careful because he had seen a man in the woods with a shot gun wearing lipstick! I've never gone back there and never will.

It was just the one time, my friends told me it was good camo, I swear!!!!!

[111t]

As of yesterday, the carcasses are still there.

I was able to talk to the local ranger, and he stated he has seen them. He placed an "order" with the local municipality to remove the carcasses. Obviously, they haven't gotten around to it. The ranger stated that he thinks that due to the proximity of the carcasses to the trailhead, someone dumped the carcasses there in some form of protest against the trail, or some hiker in particular.

If you were going to dump carcasses, a trailhead would be a great place. Doesn't sound like protest to me. Just a place to drop bodies. It's out of season, so the poacher probably could only take the fur. Not sophisticated enough, or inclined enough to take the deer meat.

[WalksWithBlackflies]

I'm just thinking about what I would do if I stumbled upon a poacher while hiking. I'd consider it a very dangerous situation given that the poacher is probably armed, I am not, and I am now a witness to his law breaking. If he ran off to avoid being identified I'd probably run off in the other direction just in case he decided to be a little more certain he would not be identified.

Hiking down the powerline trail one time, I came across a hunter who was standing on the trail. He had a big rifle, and I knew it wasn't big game season. Out of curiosity, I asked what he was after. He stated (in a friendly way), "Basically anything that shows itself." I decided not to do any bushwhacking that day.

I think you've got some guys out there who supplement a lot of their diet by poaching.

[BushwhackingFirestar]

Was hiking with ADK ONONDAGA today,and when we came down to Shackham,Carcasses still there, and starting to smell. I guess no one wants to dispose of them.