Emergency Dumb Poachers: Deer Wakes Up On Way Home

by
posted on November 28, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wilder_ah2015_fs.jpg (5)

I normally only try to do dumb poacher recaps about once a season or so, but this story out of California was both unfortunate and unusual enough to warrant its own post.

According to a report from the Tahoe Daily Tribune, two Sacramento men were pulled over and arrested on Nov. 18 after concerned citizens called police to let them know that a tan SUV was speeding down the highway while blood dripped out of the car's doors.

After a local K-9 spotted and apprehended the car, Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers conducted a full-fledged search and detained the men. Officers eventually got the full story out of the accused poachers, and it's a doozy.

According to the report, the men, Scott Lee and Nai Saechao, allegedly poached a buck in a bit of road hunting, and threw the animal in the back of the SUV after it collapsed. The pair began heading home with their poached prize, when they ran into a little problem: the deer wasn't dead.

The shotgun wound they'd delivered hadn't finished the buck off, and he naturally wasn't very happy to come to in the back of an SUV. Either Lee or Saechao (it isn't specified) climbed into the back to put the animal down. It worked, but the damage was done. Blood from the altercation was splattered throughout the interior of the car, and it didn't take long for it to start leaking out of doors and any other opening it could find.

The poachers tried to hightail it home, but some keen eyed observers noticed the blood and the shifty behavior of both driver and passenger and called it in. Now they'll likely face a multitude of charges.

Next time, boys, make sure the deer's dead before you load it up in the back of the Toyota.

Latest

LEDE Updated M2 Field
LEDE Updated M2 Field

New for 2026: Upgraded Benelli M2 Field

Used across waterfowl marshes, turkey woods and upland cover, Benelli's M2 pairs dependability with responsive handling—built to perform in demanding environments while remaining light enough for all-day, on-the-move hunting.

First Look: Remington "Don't Tread on Me" Ammo Buckets

In keeping with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Remington has announced the release of its ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ ammo buckets.

Traditions Firearms Outfitter G3 Line Now Includes 400 Legend

Traditions Performance Firearms has added another straight-wall hunting cartridge to its Outfitter G3 lineup in 400 Legend.

New for 2026: Millennium Treestands Deadlok Carbon Shooting Stick Tripod

Millennium Treestands has launched the DeadLock Carbon Shooting Stick Tripod. Engineered for stability and versatility, this tripod provides a platform for hunters, shooters and outdoor photographers.

New For 2026: Trijicon AccuPoint 1-8x24 Riflescope

Trijicon has come back to the rugged AccuPoint for 2026, this time with an 8X zoom range, wide field-of-view and all the robust qualities tho make this one ideally suited for Africa's Dangerous Game species.

New for 2026: Remington Ammunition Shotshell and Rimfire Offerings

Remington Ammunition has announced several new shotshell options, plus a new rimfire load for 2026. This includes new options in Royal Flush upland loads as well as an all-new Final Strut lineup of turkey loads.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.