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I have relatives on Whidbey Island, Washington State, that had a white deer visiting years ago. As soon as hunting season started it was never seen again.
well are they common or rare? i heard that the scientist dont know why they turn white and i have heard too that they are deseased does anyone know if this is true or not plmk i would love to learn more about them since we have one in our woods here in hickory nc lol
We have an albino fox here haven't seen any albino deer, the old timers use to think they were deseased when they were born albino, I remember hearing them talk about it when I was a child.
Oh we have a deer farm in the next town a lady was going blind, this was years ago, and she loved deer so her husband made a deer farm for her to enjoy before she couldn't see anymore and there was one albino deer born there and someone ended up shooting it. The deer farm is still there but she is gone now. I never saw that one just heard about it. I think they are pretty rare.
I remember when I was a kid there were a lot of dogs born albino mostly german shepards and they would shoot them because they 'said' they would never be right and turn on you, isn't that awful!
Albino deer seldom make it to adulthood because they show up too well to preditors. In Michigan it is illegal to shoot an albino deer, though pie-balds (partially albino) are fair game. If you have one albino in the area, chances are that you will get more as it is genitic. We have areas in town that have albino squirells and pie-balds. I rescued and rehabed a couple of the piebalds this summer and am hoping to see some white ones in the future.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with an albino, other than the pigment and tendency to cataracts from lack of pigment in their eyes.
Albinisim shows up in every species from birds to fish. I actually had someone bring me an albino turtle once, though it was so prone to sumburn that I had to give it to a zoo.
I don't know about albino, but the piebald is a recessive gene, so both parents must be or carry the gene to produce it.
I did see a piebald fawn once, and pulled over to try for a photo. A very loud motorcycle spoiled that chance. I was bummed, 'cause it's unlikely I'll ever see another.
Here on the southeast coast of Georgia is a barrier island known as Jekyll Island. It is the only place i have ever seen albino dear on. We usually see them after dark, although i haven't been there after dark lately. Now i'm curious if they are still there. It is a State owned island but growing in development. On a night drive you can usually see White Tail Deer, Racoons, Possums, and Alligators which one person i know of stumbled over one on the beach at night, no harm done, just a scared tourist. I have heard that the Ga. State Government sometimes have to thin out the White Tail population. Thanks for reminding me about the deer. I need to get a photo of a white one. Cumberland Island is in sight from Jekyll Island to the south. That is where John F. Kennedy Jr. was married at. They picked a secluded little chapel and everything was "hush hush" until the couple departed. There are no roads to Cumberland Island and no electricity unless you have a generator. I had better stop, i'm getting away from the subject matter. There is so much history in this area, have a nice night. Larry
The reason i apologized was, i forgot to include the person i was responding to. And i was veering off into historical things like fighting the Spaniards and then the British for control of this area way back when.
Larry
that photo is very neat- albino deer... never saw one and we have hoards of deer, see them almost everyday all year. it's hunting season here, 1 week to go ..[ my dogs are going bzerk all kenneled up] and i hope it's a record year. i end up hitting deer almost every year- just too many. good for the autobody shops. the deer stay in our yard a lot- love our crabapples. this year they ate my pumpkins, kale and squash! never before had they eaten them! my better 1/2's deer camp got 1 our of a crew of 6.. buck... with it's fuzz still so they made fun of it...they hunt farther up north.
thanks for sharing the photo
well i saw 6 deer tonight but sisnt see the white one so we think it got killed,or something not sure but when we usually see deer this time of year we laways saw the white one with them but not tonight maybe we will see it again but the odds must have been against it so i am glad that we got the picture of it at least we do have that lol thxs i am glad that you all have enjoyed the photo
i seen a white deer before. it likes to hang out right our hunting grounds, ya see we hunt in the back woods on a farm. anyways, it was bout 5:30 in the morn, barely light enough to see your own hand shake cuz its so cold, and right at the tree line come that white little fawn. cute little thing. but can n e one guess the best part? a white doe decides to pop her head out to. now i didn't shoot it, partly cuz she was little, partly cuz i had a buck tag, but i know they're out there
Here is a photo of our Piebald deer, we called him snowball. If you look up piebald deer you will find they have slightened development and ours was quite tame from the first encounter, but was eventually taken by a coyote or something as they cannot run fast as normal deer and have quite short legs in comparison.
We as well really miss our "snowball" and would often find him not wandering far from our cabin. When he was taken he was only about 100 yds. from the cabin door.
Sorry about snowball. That must have been sad to find him.
It is interesting about the short legs. I didn't know that. Are all piebald short legged? We don't have hardly any here. The color, of course makes them easy targets for preditors.
I like being able to see some deer over and over. They have their own personalities.
We have one female fawn that is very curious. She sees you in a blind, or in the woods and will come slowly up to you for a good look. She takes 2 steps and cranes her neck out and stares. (maybe she needs glasses)
Deer like that usually get shot or eaten by something.
Too bad, 'cuz it is so fun to watch them. She usually bolts when I can no longer surpress a laugh.
This does mention that they have restricted eyesight, perhaps you have a doe with this problem and she really does need glasses!!
I came across this blurb:
A genetic variation (defect) produces the piebald condition in white-tailed deer, not parasites or diseases. Piebald deer are colored white and brown similar to a pinto pony. Sometimes they appear almost entirely white. In addition to this coloration, many have some of the following observable conditions: bowing of the nose (Roman nose); short legs; arching spine (scoliosis); short lower jaws. This genetic condition is rare with typically less than one percent of white-tailed deer being affected.
We were quite teary-eyed when we found Snowball. We had gotten to where we looked forward to seeing him in the woods and were always looking for him and he was always fairly close by at least w/n 1/2 mile or so of the cabin. When we went up a few wknds and didn't see him we got concerned but would have rather thought he just took off with other deer instead of being taken by a predator. When we did see him in the woods he was always alone, never among any other herd of deer which we found odd.
That is so sad. I didn't know that those deer had other problems. I thought it was just a color thing. Are they then shunned by other deer?
DH said that he thinks deer do not have great eyesight anyway. Yes, they can detect movement behind their head, but if you stay still, they mostly have a hard time figuring out what you are, stump or human?
I seem to have the same problem. If a deer is standing still, I have a much harder time seeing it. It is the movement that catches your eye. Sometimes if you are walking directly towards a deer, they can not tell. They will keep staring.
It is kind of funny. This year was the first time I have even seen a deer blink. During bow season, I had a doe and 2 fawns come in regular. They got so comfortable and relaxed around me. I think they saw the lump in the blind, but got used to me.
Normally, the deer are so edgy, sometimes jumping at a leaf drop. Nice to watch some deer relaxed and normal.
My father used to work at a fenced facility with a deer herd inside the fence. He watched several piebald deer grow up including one albino buck (he had pink eyes). Since they lived inside the fenced area they were safe from cars and hunters so they were able to grow up and even old. One piebald buck in particular got darker over the years until the only way you could tell him apart was an unusually larger area of white extending from the chest up his neck, and more white on his face.
The deer pictured here are commonly called pinto color variants of the white tailed deer. There are two types of all white deer. One is a native off spring all white with dark or black eyes. The other is an albino with no dark pigments which produces a pink eyed white deer.
Within America there are several different white tailed deer. They vary genetically from each other...so there could be and most likely are all three of the above within each herd's distribution or occupied areas.
This is a white Whitetail from SW Michigan. Due to the dark tarsal's and dark ears and nose it is probably classified as piebald. This is only the second one I've seen in the wild. While on a family vacation in Washington State we saw a piebald along the road. That deer had larger brown spots all over its body. I think the rump on this deer will get darker as it ages.
That is a genetically white deer with dark eyes. The mother if known more than likely produces one or two a year that are nearly all like this but some offspring may be normal and some will be pintos or piebalds. . Since bucks are not sided up with the same doe it is unlikely that the male has much to do with the situation that brings about genetically white deer or variants either for that matter.
They do in fact run as skillfully as any deer and with the same vigor. They get caught or shot because they are easy to see. The producing mother gets caught or shot because she runs with her offspring as a family unit.
It is correct that there are numerous types of white tailed deer genetically related in various parts of America. I believe all of these family groups or herds have white, albino, piebald or pinto offspring.
I did not read through each reply, but must warn to not shoot any albino animal. It is obviously wrong, but is also punishable with prison time being a possible punishment. I am speaking secifically about albino deer, but assume that it includes all albino animals.
On deer...any sign of brown or non-white color, on their otherwise mostly white fur, is fair game...at least in Illinois. But you better hope it is not mud!!!
that is called a pie ball because thier is dark spots on it thier is a place in N.Y. called senica army depot old training camp for solgers they closed it they have many acers fenced in with pure white deer they want to have a lottery system to go and hunt them many peaple come from all over to see them look it up on google bet its thier
White deer, albino deer and piebalds are fair game in Pennsylvania. All are the natural members the result of natural events within any white tailed deer herd. They are not technically different animals although there are genetic differences due to perfectly normal happenings the result of them breeding from herd to herd in the normal rutting process.
A white herd can be developed by selective breeding in captive farms. This has been done. Given normal non-selective breeding in the wild any of these will show up in very small percentages.
What often happens when one appears in surburban areas is that the
Bambe emotions run wild and it gets fed and more or less becomes a neighborhood pet. That pet is still wild and given the right circumstances will attack and kill or badly hurt the hand that feeds it. This is a matter of recorded history in our state. The animal in such circumstances is usually killed by a game commissioner.
Albino animals are quite common but as their color is more noticable, they are less likely to survive. And it is much more likely that a predator or plain old mother nature is the culprit, not man.
If you ever come to Garner NC there is a stuffed one on display in a climate controlled room at the Avesboro Rd park.
It was hit by a car so the town had it stuffed so people could see it.
In june one came accross the road as I drive into Pamlico County and he looked Jet black the car in front of me also wrecked slowing down to watch the deer go on off into the woods. Glad I was not fowelling to close and glad I got to see the deer. I would have not beleived how black it was.
Some areas of the Eastern Shore of Maryland have Fallow Deer in normal brown tones with an occasional white one that shows up in the averages. The can be hunted on both public and private lands.
Indian River resident John Ingersoll has filed a petition for Application for Leave to Appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court in Pro Per (representing himself). This decision could affect all sportsmen and women throughout the state of Michigan. Ingersoll’s opinion is a hunter should be able to hunt legally without harassment and being accused of criminal activity. We must stand-up for our god given right to hunt and fish in our state.
This lawsuit arose because of Defendants’ false and defamatory statements that turned many members of the community against the Ingersoll, seriously damaging his reputation. The Defendants wrote letters-to-the-editor of local newspapers that accused Ingersoll, a deer hunter, of killing an 8-point albino buck that was a neighborhood pet that the Defendants had been feeding for four years. Ingersoll’s buck was a 2½ year-old piebald, not an albino, and was taken several miles from Defendants’ neighborhood. Ingersoll demanded retractions of Defendants’ false statement but they refused.
On December 19, 2004, Ingersoll was legally deer hunting on private land in Emmet County, Michigan. It is undisputed that he had permission to hunt the property, was properly licensed, was wearing the required amount of hunter orange, was using the proper firearm, was hunting during the legal hours, and was using legally-prescribed hunting methods.
Late in the afternoon he saw a buck emerge from the woods about 200 yards away. The buck appeared to have an 8-point rack, but its coat was white, not the normal brownish coloration of whitetail deer. He studied the deer through his binoculars but did not observe pink eyes which are a distinguishing characteristic of an albino. He did observe distinct patches of dark hair on its head and hocks against the white coat which distinguished the deer as a piebald.
At the time this action was filed, The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has enacted a clear and simple hunting regulation regarding the taking of albino deer. (However, Ingersoll’s situation reversed the law when the Natural Resources Commission repealed the provision on the DNR Order 3.100(2), effective June 6, 2008 and it is therefore no longer unlawful to hunt albino deer in Michigan):
MDNR ORDER 3.100 (2) It shall be unlawful for a person to take or possess, at any time, an albino deer, being a deer with all white or colorless hair, or a deer with a coat of all white or colorless hair similar to an albino deer. Piebald, or partially white deer, may be taken under the provisions of this order.
Knowing that the deer was legal quarry he killed the buck, tagged it and took it home. Realizing the large amount of white hair may present a legal question, on December 21, 2004 Ingersoll took the buck to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Field Office in Indian River. Two DNR wildlife biologists, a wildlife technician and a conservation officer thoroughly inspected and photographed the deer. They concluded that the deer was not an albino or white deer; it was a piebald buck that was legal to take.
Ingersoll took the deer to several locations where deer hunters congregated where additional photographs were taken, newspapers published photographs of the Ingersoll and his buck, along with several letters-to-the-editor that accused the Ingersoll of shooting the “neighborhood’s pet Albino deer.
Neighbors upset by killing of “albino” deer
Who killed our friend for a trophy? Please be advised that on Monday, December 20, 2004, someone from Indian River shot and killed the neighborhood’s pet “Albino” deer. We have been lovingly feeding this pretty animal for four years. The DNR said it was a legal kill – but having been as close as 10 feet from this pet deer one of us was unable to see any brown markings. The stain observed by DNR was quite possibly a discharge from hind quarters and the small stain on forehead could be from tree rubbing. The neighbors and surrounding friends are very, very upset over the killing for a “trophy.” Saddened and broken hearted...
Deer should have been protected
I would like to know what the law is, or how the DNR stands with killing an albino deer. Webster’s dictionary defines albino as: a person, animal, or plant lacking normal coloration. I was told the white buck that lived in the Burt Lake area was shot by a hunter and killed. This news has saddened myself and others. If the law doesn’t protect these animals, who will? I know the people in the area tried – even hunters wouldn’t shoot him if he came into their bait pile. I come from a family of hunters, but some living beautiful animals should be protected...
Sad to hear white deer was killed
After receiving the sad news on Christmas eve about someone shooting the white deer near Alanson, I felt I needed to let people know how sad it really is. As a relative of people who watched this young buck grow and blossom since birth and then to watch them be so broken hearted over his death, I feel the people who live in Northern Michigan and appreciate its miracles and beauty should know that a young man looking for a “trophy” shot and killed the most beautiful sight I have ever seen! It’s just so sad...
These statements triggered an avalanche of negative public sentiment against Ingersoll , convincing them that Ingersoll: 1) committed an illegal act by killing an albino deer, and 2) committed an immoral, reprehensible, repugnant act by killing a deer that was the “neighborhood’s pet.” Ingersoll attempted to correct the misconception explaining the true facts, showing photographs of his deer, and even having the deer mounted so he could display it to prove he did not shoot the “neighborhood’s pet albino deer.” His attempts to clarify the facts did not correct the impact of the untrue statements about Ingersoll in the letters-to-the-editor.
Then, on January 18, 2005, a letter-to-the-editor from another Defendant appeared in the newspaper that incited further community outrage:
Beautiful deer slain
To say that your article and the picture of the Albino deer that was killed near Alanson saddened us would not be the correct choice of words. I also believe that the referring to Mr. Ingersoll as a hunter would not be correct. I am but one of the many residents of the area who have enjoyed viewing this deer over the past years. I have both movies and pictures of this beautiful animal.
Reports are that the deer had a small brown spot near its back foot. I would like to know how Mr. Ingersoll could see such a spot with the amount of snow that we had on the ground on the day that he killed this animal. This deer has been cared for by the residents of this area for years and was almost as tame as our house pets.
Many of us wonder how Mr. Ingersoll dispatched the animal: did he use his pocketknife or just a stick that he picked up off the ground? I have been a deer hunter for more than 50 years and have never needed a deer bad enough to end the life of such a beautiful animal. I am very happy to say that I know of no real hunter who feels any different than I.
When the community read Defendant’s assertion that “This deer has been cared for by the residents of this area for years and was almost as tame as our house pets” the reputation and image of Ingersoll was further degraded. People made disparaging and hostile remarks to Ingersoll and his family when they were in restaurants and other public places and some even threatened to come to Plaintiff’s house and shoot his dogs. Students and teachers who held Ingersoll in low esteem because of the letters to the newspapers harassed Ingersoll’s teenage daughter at school, and Ingersoll’s wife received a hostile telephone call from a Defendant, one of the authors of a defamatory letter to the editor, resulting in a complaint to the Tuscarora Township Police Department.
On January 7, 2005, DNR Conservation Officer Michael Feagan wrote an Incident Report, reviewed by his supervisor DNR Sgt. Greg Drogowski, where he reported that DNR wildlife experts agreed that Ingersoll’s deer was not an albino.
The deer was examined at the Indian River Field Office by retired Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist Doug Whitcome, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Technician Greg Whittaker, and me. There was obvious brown coloring on the head of the deer and on the inside of both rear hocks. It was determined by all involved that the deer met the legal requirements to be considered a piebald.
Photos of the brown coloration on the deer were taken and e-mailed to Lieutenant Gaither who presented them to wildlife biologist at the Gaylord Operations Office. They confirmed from the photos that the deer was a piebald.
Because some of the Defendants accused the Ingersoll of fraudulently coloring the hair of his piebald buck, the DNR initiated a criminal investigation of the legality of the deer.
A He commented that Mrs. Defendant and Mr. -- Mrs. Defendant - not Mister -- were at his place of business, and he told me they were there for approximately three to five hours, and they came with an 18-inch stack of Polaroid pictures of a deer since birth, and ranting and raved that -- this was in his words -- and stayed there. And then the DNR officer stopped by. He didn't say -- he didn't give me a name of which one. And he commented how Mrs. Defendant and Mrs. Defendant chewed the DNR officer out, and told him they weren't doing their job, and the deer was illegal, and so on and so forth, and that he needed to do his job. And apparently he went back and somebody cut some holes in the hide.
DNR Sgt. Greg Drogowski testified in his deposition that this was a criminal investigation.
Q Now, is there any reason why you didn't contact
Mr. Ingersoll to ask if you could --
A Yes.
Q -- take samples?
A Yes.
Q And why not?
A Because in criminal investigations, if I would have done
that, it's a possibility the deer hide would disappear
before a sample could be taken.
DNR Pathologist Thomas Cooley received the hair samples at the DNR’s Wildlife Disease Laboratory in Lansing where he made the following determination:
The eyes were pigmented (which by definition eliminates this as being an albino animal), but there was a question regarding the staining of the fur in the two areas as to whether they were stained naturally or by the hunter through painting or staining the areas with some type of petroleum product.
Pathologist Cooley then sent the hair samples to the Michigan State University OCPAH for further testing by toxicologist Wilson K. Rumbeiha who concluded:
HISTORY: The animal was reportedly seen earlier in the summer and fall with a pure white coat. When harvested, the animal had brown on the head and torsal area. Because albino deer are protected by law, there is a question as to whether or not the stain on the fur was due to the hunter painting or staining the hair with some type of petroleum product.
TEST COMMENT: Skin and hair tested negative for petroleum hydrocarbons. We did not find any manmade chemicals on the skin.
Ingersoll had submitted the head of his buck to the DNR for aging and testing for bovine tuberculosis. DNR Wildlife Veterinarian Stephen M. Schmitt mailed the results, which stated:
Your deer, TB Tag #258627, submitted on 12/28/04 was aged at the Rose Lake Lab as a 2.5 year old male. No evidence of tuberculosis was found in this deer.
On May 15, 2005, Ingersoll sent certified letters to Defendants demanding that each of them retract their false assertions that led the public to believe that Ingersoll killed their “neighborhood’s pet albino deer,” which, if true, constituted a criminal act.
After allowing seven months to pass without seeing a retraction or receiving a response from any of the Defendants, Ingersoll filed a defamation lawsuit on December 29, 2005 against the seven individuals who wrote defamatory letters-to-the-editor. The fact that they asserted, or imputed that the Plaintiff committed a crime constitutes defamation per se.
MCL 600.2911 (1) Words imputing a lack of chastity to any female or male are actionable in themselves and subject the person who uttered or published them to a civil action for the slander in the same manner as the uttering or publishing of words imputing the commission of a criminal offense.
In response to the lawsuit, Defendants hired four attorneys. The four opposing attorneys immediately launched a rigorous barrage of discovery requests, and Ingersoll provided extensive and detailed answers, including a list of some 60 witnesses, including their addresses and descriptions of the subjects upon which they may be called to testify. Ingersoll provided exhibits supporting his contention that the deer he took was not the four-year old albino that the Defendants had been feeding in their backyards. This issue has been in contentious dispute from the outset, the subject of numerous depositions and resulting in the submission of an extensive array of documents, photographs and videos.
The case was dismissed form Cheboygan Circuit Court on November 20, 2006, a final order was filed with the Court on December 4, 2006.
On March 16, 2007 Ingersoll / Appellant filed a Claim of Appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals along with all the proper documents. On July 18, 2007, Fred Trost, Ingersoll / Appellants Attorney, suddenly died. Ingersoll retained new council and a Notice of Appearance was filed on October 31, 2007.
On September 9, 2008 Oral Arguments were heard at the Michigan Court of Appeals.
It is from the Court of Appeals on September 16, 2008 affirming the granting of summary disposition to Defendant’s Renewed Motion for Summary Disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(8) and (10), which the Court granted as relief to all Defendants on all issues, that this appeal is taken.
On October 28, 2008 Ingersoll filed an Application for Leave to Appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, Brief in support of Application, Notice of Hearing and Proof of Service.
Several sporting magazines and articles have appeared throughout the State, regarding this situation and the repeal of the provision on the DNR Order 3.100(2.
Traverse City Record Eagle
“INDIAN RIVER -- John Ingersoll had no idea that shooting a rare "piebald" deer would lead to years of battles with state wildlife officials and some of his neighbors.
The Indian River resident's case is the catalyst for a proposed change in Michigan hunting laws that would remove protection for albino and other genetically mutated all-white deer.
The Natural Resources Commission will consider the proposal Thursday in Lansing.
The state's about-face is good policy, Ingersoll believes, but it doesn't go far enough, and doesn't account for the thousands of dollars he lost in a lawsuit he hoped would clear his name.
"I feel the reason they changed the law is to throw me a bone and hope that I'll go away," he said.
In December 2004, Ingersoll shot a predominantly white deer while hunting in Emmet County and took it to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources field office in Indian River.
His eight-point buck had brown eyes and patches of brown fur, by definition a piebald deer, not an albino or all-white deer, a fact later confirmed by DNR scientists.
Not everyone would kill a white deer, Ingersoll acknowledged, but he believed he had the legal right to do so and he wanted the trophy. A full body mount of the animal resides at an in-law's house.
News of Ingersoll's kill quickly spread, and the loss of the unusual creature distressed some local folks. Some wrote letters to newspapers to complain about him killing an albino deer.
And in Michigan it's a crime to kill an albino deer -- unless state wildlife officials agree to the law change this week.
The allegations that he'd killed a protected deer prompted Ingersoll to file a defamation lawsuit in Cheboygan County against seven area residents who publicly made that accusation.
Two DNR officials -- retired Lt. Jeff Gaither and Sgt. Greg Drogowski -- testified in lawsuit depositions that Ingersoll killed an albino, after all.
Ingersoll's lawsuit then was thrown out of court, and he was ordered to pay the defendants' legal costs. He since spent thousands more trying to prove he didn't commit a crime.
Ingersoll wants DNR officials charged with perjury, obstruction of justice and violating his constitutional rights, he said.
Drogowski said there's a biological explanation for the situation and why the state didn't charge Ingersoll with a crime for killing a protected albino deer.
The deer was albino at one point, proven by earlier photographs that showed the deer with the same antler configuration. During the rut, the animal stained portions of its fur brown by rubbing trees and urinating on its legs, making it piebald when Ingersoll shot it, Drogowski said.
"We believe that was an albino or an all-white deer, but because it was stained brown, it made it legal for him to shoot," he said.
Ingersoll is appealing the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit, said his Traverse City attorney, Jonathan Moothart.”
The Michigan DNR should be proud that they employ talented individuals such as Sgt. Greg Drogowski who along with his cronies convinced a Cheboygan County Circuit Court Judge and the Michigan Court of Appeals of their fictional fairy tails is nothing short of miracle. Drogowski stated in the Traverse City Record Eagle on June 4, 2008 “The deer was albino at one point” then after waving his magic wand, it became a “piebald when Ingersoll shot it”
Many things changed throughout the proceedings of this situation. On May 27, 2008 Ingersoll personally sent a letter to Governor Jennifer Granholm stating “I have tried my best to resolve this issue on my own through the proper channels. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director reviewed my situation. I don’t feel this was proper, due to the fact that she has no Law Enforcement background. She may have reviewed this information with Acting Chief of Law Enforcement Rodney Stokes, appointed after Alan Marble retired because the Copeland-Morgan issue. Once again Rodney Stokes has no Law Enforcement background. The Michigan DNR does not have an Internal Affairs department either. Basically they are unregulated, which when a citizen has a legitimate complaint, they have now way to obtain an investigation under the guidelines of this agency.
The DNR Organizational Chart lists you Governor Granholm as the head of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Please do not make other citizens go through what myself and my family has endured for several years of our lives. This situation has been brought before Director Humphries only after your office forced her to do so! Does Michigan have any accountability in this agency?”
Ten days later on June 2, 2008 The Michigan DNR announced that Gary Hagler of Flint has been named the Chief of the department's Law Enforcement Division. Hagler most recently served as the chief of police of the Flint Police Department, where he was a 22-year veteran of the force. Hagler will start as the DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief today.
DNR Retired Lt. Jeffery Gaither, Sgt. Greg Drogowski and Officer Michael Feagan were investigated by the State of Michigan Attorney Generals Criminal Division, the Michigan State Police, the Otsego County Prosecutor, Cheboygan County Prosecutor and the U.S. Federal Attorneys Office for perjury, obstruction of justice and violation of ones Constitutional Rights. The DNR Officers were exonerated from any wrongdoing by all agencies.
Then of course, on June 5th, 2008 the Natural Resources Commission lifted the prohibition on shooting all white or albino deer. Why after almost 20 years, this can be answered in a letter received by Ingersoll from DNR Director Rebecca Humphries which states “Your situation has helped reveal to the Department that the rules and regulations relating to albino deer need to be changed. Over 20 years ago, the protections for albino deer were written in statute. As the environmental and natural resources laws were codified in the early 1990s, that law was converted to a regulation in the Wildlife Conservation Order.” Ingersoll would like to point out that as seen above, one person can make a difference.
It has been a long time since Ingersoll pulled the trigger on the piebald deer back on December 19, 2004. Ingersoll hopes the Supreme Court will bring closure to this situation, but then comes the aftermath, the huge tab for standing up for hunting legally in the State of Michigan and the personal attack on my family from area residents. This will bring severe hardship to me and my family for years to come. But at some point sportsmen and women must take a stand for our right to hunt and fish in our state. The Michigan DNR has made it so we are to feel privileged to enjoy our sport rather than it being our God given right.
Ingersoll would like thank all those who have supported him through this tough battle, with cards of encouragement, financial help and moral support. Anyone who is grateful for his efforts and would like to help him get out of the financial he is in can send contributions to John Ingersoll at 7170 Tuscarora Circle, Indian River, MI 49749.
I've been living in Chapel Hill, NC for 2 years now (originally from NY City) we dont have deers all around us so when I moved here I was naturaly afraid of deers but every other day there are deers in my yard and in the streets so I'm not that scared any more but 4 days ago I seen a beautiful all white deer I tried this morning to get a picture of the deer but its kinda hard I know its a female but what I want to know is this normal?
kami we do have white deer in NC. We have a stuffed one in a heated climate comtrol area in a park in Garner not far from you.
Its deer season here on the crystal coast where I am now and I keep seeing deer on the back of pickups going out . All are the brown white tails so far.