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Post by rocktoy on Jan 30, 2007 11:11:13 GMT -5
James asked me to post this story about problems they're having in the Reddington area. This event took place in an area that we all use and could possibly reflect badly on the OHV community. This is exactly why we need to be careful regarding our image concerning firearms and our choice of shooting locations. Also, we are not pointing any fingers but if anyon has information concerning these incidents, please contact Admin or the County Sheriff's office directly.
Carcasses of 6 cattle found; all had been shot to death By Dale Quinn arizona daily star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.30.2007 advertisementThe discovery of six cows shot to death near a watering hole in the Redington Pass area Friday, has the owner and the Pima County Sheriff's Department asking for help tracking down the shooter. The owner has offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in connection with the shooting. Four of the cows were discovered within 48 hours of the shooting, said Marsh Myers, spokesman for the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona.. The two others had been shot and killed in the past six weeks, Myers said. The shooter, or shooters, could face criminal and civil charges, Myers said. The area east of Tucson has problems with illegal shooting — with targets including native plants, animals and road signs — and illegal dumping, Myers said. The problems often go hand-in-hand, said Pima County Sheriff's Department Detective Mike Duffey. "All kinds of things get shot up there," Duffey said. "But mostly it's the junk that people bring up there to shoot." Now it seems people — bored with shooting other targets — are aiming at cows, Duffey said. The cattle belonged to the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, 14301 E. Speedway, and were worth about $1,000 each, said ranch owner Bob Cote. Illegal shooting has been a problem in the open range, but finding six dead cows at once is unusual, he said. The cows were found near a wildcat shooting range — U.S. Forest Service land where shooters can take target practice, Cote said. Cote said he's had more than 12 cows shot dead in the past year and that the Sheriff's Department could patrol the area more regularly to look for illegal activity. The guest ranch has an active cow-calf business, Cote said. Ranchers raise the mothers and sell the calves to a feedlot for processing. The ranch has about 700 cows, Cote said. The problem is about more than the value of the cows, though, Cote said. "People should not be shooting animals like that," he said. "If they start shooting at animals, what's the difference between shooting at people. It's not that big a jump."
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barker
Asphalt Lover
Posts: 21
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Post by barker on Jan 30, 2007 12:58:31 GMT -5
Hope they get caught. This is really bad for OHVers and Gun-owners too. Glad to see a sizeable reward - perhaps it's enough to get someone to talk.
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docchaos
Tail Gunner
TOR Member
Got cow?
Posts: 316
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Post by docchaos on Jan 30, 2007 19:13:30 GMT -5
I was just about to post up about this, a coworker of mine let me know about it today and wanted us all to wheel safely while we're out there.
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Post by slick1100 on Jan 30, 2007 21:53:15 GMT -5
I read this article today and am glad you posted it. It's a sickening thing, and means we all need to be on our toes. I've seen the signs out there about illegals, trafficking and what not, and this just further proves we should travel in groups and keep our eyes open. I hope they catch who's doing this!
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Post by Archangel on Jan 30, 2007 23:32:08 GMT -5
Now, its my turn to add to this...I was contacted about this incident from the Pima County Sherrifs Office, as well as my friend Officer Elliot at TPD to see if we had any information regarding this incident and if we had an idea who is doing this. They asked that I not make the information public until the media story had been released. The contact from the authorities also prompted my PM out to everyone regarding firearms on this forum, and how we portray ourselves. I've recieved alot of negative feedback regarding my PM, but please note...I never said we could not discuss them, I merely asked that we use discretion in what we say and do. You may not think it, but this forum is being monitored, just like the rest of the OHV groups in the Tucson area. I was told that these crimes are of federal status due to the fact that it is cruelty to animals. I told both officer Elliot and the PCSO officer that I had no idea who was behind these attacks, but I would keep my eyes and ears open. So, perhaps now some of the folks who were balking at my PM can really understand the meaning behind my message. I'm not trying to get rid of firearms on this forum. I'm not trying to say we cannot discuss them. I just want to see some discretion used.
Also, as stated in the article, and I was told by the PCSO and TPD, there is a $10,000 dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible.
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Post by ssii on Jan 31, 2007 1:34:54 GMT -5
I for one hope that the Cow killers are caught. It is nothing but a waste and I find it just wrong. The idiot or idiots doing this will absolutely get caught and I am sure they will be made an example of. On the gun issue, I do find it alarming that some people will openly brag on a public forum which weapons that they have. That has always been a no no for me. I really don't think some people realize who is watching and why. If you want to discuss various calibers and types of weapons, that is cool with me as I do enjoy that too. But please for your own sake, I wouldn't let any one indirectly know on a public forum which weapons I posses and the vehicle that they may possibly be in. Also just because we thoroughly enjoy our firearms and 4x4s, There is a growing number of people who wish to deprive us of them. Legally and illegally be the means too. Don't get me wrong here all, I love to shoot and wheel. I wish there was some sort of wheeling and shooting competition combined. ;D I do find it unnerving going up Redington with the shooters so close to the road. I don't have issues with them shooting, but damn, when you are driving past I wish some of those people would keep the firearms pointed away from the road. My Wife and I has seen many a person that has been shot accidentally and on purpose and I will tell you flat out; I never ever liked what I seen. The last guy I worked on was in the back of a pickup. His guts were outside of his abdomen and it is hard to work on someone when you are sliding around in a bed full of blood. He did die and was shot by a burglar. He and the burglar actually shot each other at the same time. So please for all of our sakes, be especially careful while wheeling and shooting.
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Post by rstep on Jan 31, 2007 9:41:55 GMT -5
The sad part about all of this,is this is the reason areas are getting lost to the sport.In most cases these people just don't care and we take the heat.
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Post by Archangel on Jan 31, 2007 10:26:10 GMT -5
The sad part about all of this,is this is the reason areas are getting lost to the sport.In most cases these people just don't care and we take the heat. Which is exactly why the officers of TOR are working right now to try to get involved in the Reddington area, and organize a good solid cleanup effort. Stay tuned...the gears are turning.
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seeulater
Trail Duster
I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl.
Posts: 162
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Post by seeulater on Feb 1, 2007 21:46:09 GMT -5
This was on KZOA News 4 about the shooting out on Reddington Pass. A camper had their tent shoot at. so when any of us go out wheeling keep an eye out for the dumb azzs that are doing this sh!t.
Livestock shot, killed in Reddington Pass
"A lot of people think they can just shoot anything out here."
Several cows have turned up dead near a Tucson-area ranch. Authorities say someone is purposely shooting and killing them.
Rewards totaling $6,000 are now being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Over the weekend, investigators found five cows dead near the Redington Pass area. They had been shot and killed.
Another cow was wounded and later had to be put down. A seventh was also shot, but is expected to survive.
Ranchers say that two weeks ago a bull at a nearby ranch was randomly shot and killed.
"Over the course of the last couple of years, it's gotten completely out of control," says ranch manager Kean Brown.
Brown called the Pima County Sheriff's Department when a half dozen of his cattle turned up dead since Christmas.
He says they were all shot to death.
"Something has to be done," he told News 4.
Brown is the ranch manager for the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch which leases about 68,000 acres of land from the U.S. Forest Service.
It's an area he says needs to be better regulated.
"Somebody that will come and gut shoot a cow internally has something psychologically wrong."
He says the Redington Pass area is just not safe, overall.
"I'm a firm believer that something needs to be done."
It's not illegal to shoot firearms at the Pass, but the Sheriff's Department says you must do it safely and whatever target you bring in also bring out.
"Anything is a possibility out here obviously if cattle are getting shot. I had a report from a camper that a bullet went through his tent," says Larry Raley, the District Ranger for the Santa Catalina Mountains with the U.S. Forest Service.
The Forest Service is asking the public to write down license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions to help keep the area under control.
As far as these cattle, Andrew Hughes goes up to Redington Pass often to practice shooting. But shooting animals, he says, is just not right.
"I understand hunting, but cattle out in the wild? If you don't have a permit, don't shoot it."
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Post by yotamaster on Feb 2, 2007 2:12:09 GMT -5
I heard somethings about this at work and I just think that is cruel and I really hope these guys get caught
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azyota
Mall Crawler
Posts: 103
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Post by azyota on Feb 5, 2007 22:44:54 GMT -5
I do find it unnerving going up Redington with the shooters so close to the road. I don't have issues with them shooting, but damn, when you are driving past I wish some of those people would keep the firearms pointed away from the road. Try riding by on a Mtn Bike. I feel like I have this huge bullseye on my back. I went by there yesterday and you can see some of the dead cows from the road. I really hope the find the dirtbags that did this. Speaking of shooting stuff up, Anyone been to martineze cabin lately? It wasn't that long ago that the cabin was pristine. Now it's shot to he11. I'm a gun owner and a hunter. I have been all my life and I intend to be one for the rest of my life. I'll probably take some heat for this but damm, you can't drive till you get a license. I don't see the big deal in having to take a one time training course before you can posesse a firearm. And yes I understand the difference between a "right" and a "privilage". You can't hardly go up reddington rd without seeing a truckload of clowns shooting "gangster style". Its just getting out of control, you can't go much of anywhere out in the country without seeing everything shot all to he11. It's just stupid!
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Post by brentb on Feb 20, 2007 23:45:51 GMT -5
Its already taking its toll on the sport. I was stoped by a Sheriff by the Watering hole on the Chivo trail and he questioned me for a long time. I dont have any connection to this. I think this is a horrible thing to do and it is ruining it for the people just trying to have fun. What I have witnessed (no offense to anyone) is when I am out at reddington lately there are people using firearms that are also under the influence of alcohol. I think it is probably a bunch of drunk kids out there. REAL GREAT!
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Post by trebor on Feb 21, 2007 0:11:29 GMT -5
I agree a lot of the shooters seem like they had one to many.Their judgment can be off.it only takes a few to screw it up for everyone.It really sucks.
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