...then why the twist-tie in the ear...
and I estimate that it was a 12g hole through the vitals.

Philosophically speaking, you're right. This was no hunter, but I have no doubt he had a hunting license.

I did, by the way, make a report to the authorities, complaining of wanton waste of a large wild game animal. They reminded me (as if I didn't know) that there's almost no hope of knowing who did it, unless it was witnessed by someone.

My guess is that because of the shape of the rack, the size of the bases, and the fact that the antlers were still in velvet...more than one person must know about this deer. Someone knows who did it! I even called the check-stations around here to see if anyone had checked a buck in velvet lately. No hits on that one. I'm sure the animal never even made it to the check station. It wasn't even field-dressed.

<font color=green>How many vegetables had to die to make your stupid salad!</font id=green>