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Two stories for the book on hunting
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 Share on Facebook
Every hunting season, as thousands of people take to woods and field, strange things are discovered, crimes are solved -- and, inevitably, bizarre stories unfold. Already in this brief season, we've heard about a man who complained about a deer hanging in his neighbor's yard, and a hunter who talked a man into releasing a kidnapped child.
The hanging-deer story sounded almost too weird to be true. Henry Ladd Sr., who is 81 and has been hunting since the age of 13, hung a doe on his front lawn in Bow to age.
A neighbor, offended by the sight, called the police, and an officer was dispatched to talk with Mr. Ladd, who, flabbergasted, nonetheless took the deer down. His son was quick to state, however, that the family will keep hanging dead deer or other animals wherever they choose. The elder Mr. Ladd, meanwhile, showed great grace by observing that none of the Ladds fault the police, they have friends on the force, and they're just doing their job.
"Ludicrous" doesn't even begin to describe this story. Let's flip things. I'm particularly "offended" every time developers and politicians line up for yet another ribbon-cutting photo-op for yet another shopping mall, built on yet another piece of dwindling wildlife habitat. Do I call the police, whine that this offends my tender sensibilities, and expect them to rush over and confront the ribbon-cutters, or maybe (now here's a thought) suggest that they bulldoze the mall?
I like the Amber Alert story a lot better. It's about a distraught father who took his two-year-old daughter from her mother's home in Sanford, Maine, and a hunter who happened onto their parked vehicle and did all the right things to resolve what could have been an ugly or tragic episode.
Michael Grant was just getting into the woods in Milton when he came upon a parked truck matching the description he'd memorized the night before in an Amber Alert report. In it were a man and a little girl.
Grant, his rifle resting on his arm, told him he was not going to allow him to leave, convinced him to throw him his keys, and then talked him into turning himself in.
I've listened to a couple of interviews with the hunter, and they're amazing. During his conversation with the highly emotional father, he was adamant that he was not going to allow the child to remain in danger and reminded the father that if he collected himself and respected the law, he would be treated with respect in turn.
Thanks to Michael Grant's willingness to get involved, nobody was hurt.
Hunters everywhere owe this particular hunter their thanks. He without doubt could have become a psychiatrist, but in my book he's right where he's needed, in the woods.
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John Harrigan's column appears weekly in the New Hampshire Sunday News. His address is Box 309, Colebrook, N.H. 03576. E-mail him at hooligan@ncia.net.
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I really hope the person who complained about the hanging deer had the decently to thank Mr. Ladd for his willingness to take the deer down.
No...what a shocker! Probably someone who move from MA and despise hunting yet have no problem flipping through the ads for the latest grocery sale on steak!
- Mike, Epping
Nice piece noting Mr. Ladd. I can't understand why the Bow PD went there in the first place.
- G. Paul, Concord
For the first time ever, John, I disagree with you. I think that the hunter in Bow could just as easily hang his deer BEHIND his house. Some people (not necessarily me) dont appreciate the sight of dead Bambi.
- bobofthemtns, concord, nh
John, we have become a nation of whiners. Too many people think they are the most important thing in the world and that the whole world revolves around them. It's unfortunate that people no longer can do what they want with and on their own property and that includes too many restrictions by the government.
- Bill, Wolfeboro
For many years, our home has been open to my husband's friends to come and stay and hunt. They are all respectful of the woods, and we all share many great memories over the years.
My husband has taken our 2 girls and son hunting when they were young (and friend's children), and now the grandchildren when they're old enough to "hunt." It's a great bonding experience.
Wouldn't you think people would be more supportive of, especially kids, being outside in the woods hunting instead of sitting in front of the tv or computer? While we were in full time ministry years ago, venison was our only source of meat provided by hubby and many of our hunter friends.
I find most people who are opposed to hunting aren't educated about the sport and why it's necessary to control the deer population. Once you explain to them about winter kill, etc. they sometimes change their minds.
I wonder what people think we all lived on before slaughter houses?
Congrats to Mr. Ladd! Keep on huntin! And to the neighbor, don't you think our PD's have better things to do? Try walking over to your neighbor's house next time, you just might learn something.
- judy, bradford
Where's Jake from Manchester saying how horrible a person Michael Grant is? I mean he must have really scared this child abductor and scarred the poor man forever. I wonder if he was a booze bag like Jake thinks most hunters are?
Outstanding job Mr Grant, what you did was a very heroic thing and you should be commended for it. As far as the nitwit neighbor in Bow, next time you get a steak at Shaws remember that animal was hung and butchered just like that deer. You have to love the morons who refuse to think about it and don't respect what they eat.
- Dave, Pembroke
I hope Mr. Grant gets to enjoy some tenderloins this year. Well done.
- mike, Bedford