Community Corner

UPDATE: Investigation of Deer Remains Found Near Community Gardens

Joey Murray, Greenbelter and Ancestral Knowledge instructor examined the site where the deer remains lie and found more remains.

UPDATE: May 26: On Tuesday, Joey Murray, Ancestral Knowledge instructor and Greenbelter, searched the area where the deer remains and a possible hunter's blind had been reported.

Murray found three deer skulls and three deer legs. "You can see by the decay it's actually not too old," Murray said while examining a severed deer leg, estimating the deer to have been dead possibly one-month, unless it had been refrigerated.

The deer whose skulls he found all died at different time periods, according to Murray. He estimated one to be possibly three years old, another possibly two years old and one to be more recent, probably from this fall, Murray said.

Find out what's happening in Greenbeltwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The absence of other deer remains made Murray think the animal did not die in that spot, he said, adding that he did not think the person who left the deer was actively hunting there, but had instead dumped them.

Murray estimated that boards nailed to two trees had belonged to a structure built 12 to 20 years ago, he said, judging from the rot on the fallen tree that one of the boards was still nailed to.

Find out what's happening in Greenbeltwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Murray also said he did not think the deer were killed by other animals, adding, "There are definitely saw marks on the vertebrae and saw marks on the legs"

Sgt. Art Windemuth, DNR spokesman, said he has not been able to speak directly with the officer who visited the site where the dead deer were originally found by Greenbelt Companion Animal Committee member Cam MacQueen on Sunday, May 22.

Since he had not talked with the officer or visited the site, Windemuth said he could not judge how old the tree structure in question was. However, even if the stand was built recently, he said, "That doesn't mean that person is going to be out there every night."

He added that although it doesn't mean hunting can't be happening, DNR do not typically see poaching this time of year.

If people suspect there is a violation of the law, he said, they should be a good steward. "If they see something that doesn't look right to them," they should report it, he said.

When Patch told him of reports that Greenbelters were panicking over the find, Windemuth responded that people should go out and enjoy the outdoors--but prudently.  If they see anything that appears to be a violation of the law, he said, they can report it to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Communications Center at 1-800-628-9944.

UPDATE: May 23: Sgt. Art Windemuth, Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokesman, says he believes it is possible the the deer remains found near Greenbelt's community gardens were hunted elsewhere and transported to the site. Windemuth is attempting to contact a DNR officer who went to the site Monday morning to ask her judgment, he said.

Windemuth said some hunters remove the tenderloins and hind portions of deer then discard the remains.

If this occurred in Greenbelt, he thought it unfortunate, said Windemuth. An ethical hunter would have made every effort to utilize the entire deer, he explained, adding that the hunter could have donated it to groups such as Hunters for the Hungry.

Sgt. Windemuth was not certain whether the board nailed to a tree, with another board lying nearby, indicated a poacher was using the area, he said, and he is hoping to first consult with the DNR officer who came to Greenbelt Monday to investigate.

Lesley Riddle,  assistant director, also plans to revisit the site Tuesday morning with someone she feels is knowledgeable about these issues, at that time she may release further advice and details.

Original Post: Monday, Cam MacQueen, found the remains of about four dead deer and a board nailed to a tree nearby with another board on the ground near the tree, all within sight of the Greenbelt community gardens, the GHI building, cars passing by on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and also close to neighborhood homes.

Acting on an anonymous tip, MacQueen, who is a member of the GHI Companion Animal Committee, spotted the boards and deer remains. Alarmed, she called Lesley Riddle,  assistant director, who met her at the GHI offices Monday morning.

"Verboten," Riddle said of a suspected hunter for what she believed was recklessly endangering townspeople. "There is no hunting in the forest preserve. Absolutely no hunting. No hunting," she said, pledging to prosecute lawbreakers within the fullest extent of the law.

"I don't care if they're shooting with a gun or with a bow," Riddle added, saying she was disturbed either way.

Although the decaying carcasses did not appear to be fresh kill, Riddle said she was concerned that it happened in the first place and ensuring that a suspected hunter does not return.

Avoiding the site is advisable as it is under investigation. The area also has generous amounts of poison ivy, and Patch spotted two deer ticks on clothing when leaving the area where the deer carcasses were found.

Riddle asked that anyone spotting hunting in the forest preserve take action and report it immediately. In the meantime, she said, Celia Craze, greenbelt director of Planning and Community Development, would ensure the suspected blind was torn down.

Editor's Clarification: This story has been updated with a clearer description of the site where the deer carcasses were found and how the deer died.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Greenbelt