Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502150007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEVE KARK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
As we draw nearer, I can see that he is as Vinson described him: He's been shot twice in the throat, at least a half-dozen times in the shoulder, four times in the legs and three in the hips. Yet, here he stands, oblivious to the icy weather and ready to serve.
"Works like a charm," says Vinson. "And if we want to change him into a doe, all we have to do is remove these." He reaches up and gives the antlers a twist.
But this decoy is no doe, nor Bambi either. This fella's seen more action than Sylvester Stallone in all three - or is it four - Rambo movies.
This is BAMBO, state deer decoy.
Vinson and other game wardens across the state use stuffed deer like this one to catch hunters who violate Virginia game laws.
They might position the decoy in a field just off the road to catch those who take a shot at it from their vehicles. Or, they might set it up to see if anyone would shoot it out of season or on posted land. A lot of the time, they'll bring along a video camera for evidence in court, Vinson says.
Depending on the circumstances, any one of these offenses could cost the hunter as much as $500 in fines.
It looks convincing enough. Frozen in a pose of watchful vigilance, the decoy faces us with head raised and ears upright.
From a distance, you see how someone might take him for a live 8-point buck.
But up close, he looks a bit rough around the edges.
His coat is ruffled and uneven; fur sticks out in ragged, white tufts around the bullet holes.
Generally, Vinson says, folks will take a shot at it and realize that something's not quite right. Or, if the hunter has a scope, he'll catch on right away and consider himself lucky he didn't shoot.
Some folks will shoot a couple of times and realize they've been caught. "Sometimes they'll even lay the rifle across the hood of the vehicle and wait for us to come and get them," Vinson says. "Most of the time they're pretty embarrassed about it."
Others, though, aren't so quick to catch on. Vinson recalls the time three guys, each with his own rifle, jumped out of their car and began shooting at the decoy, one after the other. It took them a while to realize that this was about to turn into a really bad day.
On another occasion, a hunter found he couldn't bring down the decoy even with a semiautomatic rifle. He kept shooting until they came and got him, Vinson says. The hunter had shot at the decoy 12 times. His judgment and - worse yet - his aim were impaired because he'd taken a few too many "shots" himself that day.
This particular decoy has been on the job for two years and is used throughout Giles, Craig, Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd and Carroll counties.
Because of all the wear and tear he's already been through, the decoy will likely only last another season at best, Vinson says. I can't help but feel as though I'm in the presence of a battle-hardened veteran at the end of a sterling career.
Not to worry, Vinson says: the Fish and Game people recognize service above and beyond the call of duty when they see it. He figures this decoy won't end up in a dumpster or someone's garage.
"No," he says, "this old boy will probably be put to use in educational service and be used in the schools in some way."
Sounds like a well-earned retirement to me.
by CNB