CUSSEWAGO TOWNSHIP — M.J. Huya Jr. had a pretty good idea there was something wrong with one of his 600-pound, black-and-white Holstein steers Tuesday morning when the animal wouldn’t leave the 63-acre pasture on West Road for a feeding.
Huya tried to approach the steer, but the animal kept running off.
So Wednesday morning Huya got a few people together. They worked patiently to coax the steer out of the pasture at about 7:30 a.m.
Huya was shocked when he saw what the trouble was.
The steer had a tipless arrow through the ridge on its back, right above its front shoulder. Near equal lengths of the arrow were sticking out on either side.
“On a deer it would have been a kill shot if it was about a foot lower,” Huya said.
The discovery sparked several actions
— a call to Meadville-based state police, medical treatment for the steer and a decision, just days before the start of rifle deer season, to post the farm’s entire 200 acres. This season will be the first in more than 40 years that the second-generation family farm will not be open to hunters.
By Wednesday afternoon, with the arrow removed and the wound treated, the steer appeared to be doing fine. Only time will tell if the treatment is successful in staving off infection and saving the family’s investment. The steer should bring $300 to $400 once slaughtered.
What remains are a host of unanswered questions.
Huya thinks that the cow was likely shot from West Road and that the incident was no accident. The animal was in a 63-acre pasture with no woods, and the archery hunting seasons ended Nov. 14.
“Times are getting tough,” Huya observed, speculating that someone may have shot the steer in an attempt to harvest its meat. He estimated that a person with the right tools and butchery skills would need about 15 minutes to chop the carcass into pieces that could be carried away by hand.
If that was the intention, the act was brazen. Huya noted that trucks come and go on West Road to and from the farm at all hours this time of year as the farm processes its and others’ harvest. In addition to about 35 steer, the farm has about 90 dairy cows and raises field crops.
Whether or not the arrow had a tip when it was shot at the steer is an open question. The arrow has a threaded end to accommodate different types of tips. When the steer was brought in from the pasture Wednesday, the arrow had no tip, but it is possible that the tip came loose and fell off sometime between the time the steer was shot and Wednesday morning.
“This is just wrong,” Huya said, recalling that there have never been any incidents as serious as this on the farm. “Things like this are reasons why more and more farmers are posting their land” to prohibit hunting and trespassing, he said.
Pat Bywater can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pbywater@meadvilletribune.com.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Arrow through cow puzzles area family
- Local News
-
-
Community agencies planning Children's Fair for April
As Crawford County child abuse numbers rank among the most disturbing in the state, officials of local courts and agencies are busy finding ways to increase public awareness of child abuse and its prevention.
-
Ice would be nice for upcoming fishing tournaments
The 2012 Conneaut Lake Ice Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 25, but organizer Jerry Van Tassel isn’t holding his breath when it comes to running the event as planned.
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.
-
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.
-
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.
-
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.
-
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Community agencies planning Children's Fair for April
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
