Antler Madness

Bridge crossings out here in the country are depressing/maddening this time of year. We have had bow hunting since October 1 plus two firearm deer seasons, and the carcasses are piling up in the waterways. There are two common themes. One is the backstraps and hams cut off a discarded carcass, and the other is a skinned carcass with the antlers cut off the skull. There are evidently many who need a taxidermied deer on the wall to show off their hunting prowess. Look out there at the end of that point in Auxier Creek....

It has been skinned, the skull cut, thrown over the bridge, and cleaned by coyotes. 

Here is a collection thrown over the bridge rail. There are some small antlers showing, so that one was at least partially butchered. 

Here is a really big deer, skinned and de-antlered for a taxidermist. You have to wonder how many, if any, of these deer were legally hunted and killed. Hunter ethics and sportsmanship are sorely lacking in our neighborhood. 

Just one of many laws addressing this:  (720 ILCS 5/47-5)
    Sec. 47-5. Public nuisance. It is a public nuisance:
    (1) To cause or allow the carcass of an animal or offal, filth, or a noisome substance to be collected, deposited, or to remain in any place to the prejudice of others.
    (2) To throw or deposit offal or other offensive matter or the carcass of a dead animal in a water course, lake, pond, spring, well, or common sewer, street, or public highway.
    (3) To corrupt or render unwholesome or impure the water of a spring, river, stream, pond, or lake to the injury or prejudice of others.