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February 22, 2003
Deer Lady sprung, feeds more critters
Overcrowding at the Siskiyou County Jail accounted for her early release.
Apparently, rehabilitation didn’t occur
By MARK FREEMAN, Mail Tribune (Medford, Ore.)
YREKA, Calif. — Eight days in the Siskiyou County Jail hasn’t deterred Thana Minion from illegally feeding black-tailed deer.
But that second stint behind bars did set up an unusual homecoming Friday for the Deer Lady of Copco Lake.
Minion was released from the overcrowded Siskiyou County Jail late Thursday, eight days into her 30-day jail term for violating California’s don’t-feed-the-deer law.
Friday morning she went right back to providing grain and digging ticks out of the ears of two dozen deer that greeted her like she was a family member returning home from a long trip.
"When they saw me they were so happy that they ran right over and crowded around," said Minion, 52. "They wanted their ticks picked before they ate the grain."
California Department of Fish and Game authorities couldn’t care less about the ticks. But Capt. Chuck Konvalin said his agency will follow up on any information about Minion’s deer- feeding and forward any reports to prosecutors.
Siskiyou County District Attorney Pete Knoll said he doesn’t want to see Minion in jail again, but more jail time could come if she continues publicly flouting the law.
"I have no ax to grind with this lady and I’ve been very clear on that position," Knoll said Friday. "And her point’s been very clear to us: ‘f—- you. I’m gonna do it.’
"I just can’t believe this," he said.
Minion plays matriarch to the large herd of deer that she names, pets, grooms and feeds a mix of oats, barley and other grains.
The California Legislature in 1996 enacted the law specifically for cases in which feeding causes perceived harm to the animals by attracting disease, predators or hunters or by over-taming them to a point where they rely on the illegal feed.
Others found violating the law are told to stop, and state authorities say all but Minion have complied. She is the only one believed to be jailed under the law.
Minion has argued that the law is meant to ban hunters from using bait to attract deer. She also said that, as an American Indian, she has the right to feed these deer as part of her connection to nature.
Minion’s jail sentence was for violating probation from a 1997 conviction of driving while suspended and resisting arrest during an altercation with Fish and Game officers who were trying to encourage her to stop feeding deer.
As part of her probation, she must obey all laws and stop feeding the deer, but she has steadfastly refused.
Minion, who served 45 days in jail for a similar violation in 2000, said her most recent jail stint was "a blast" but that she was happy to get out.
"They have real criminals they need behind bars, not people feeding deer," she said.
Minion was released at 9:32 p.m. Thursday because of overcrowding in the jail, which provides just 14 beds for women inmates, said Capt. Julie Hutchens, the jail commander.
When a new female inmate was admitted, Minion was released because she had completed more of her sentence than the other inmates, Hutchens said.
"She was fine here," Hutchens said. "She follows the rules."
Minion said she has no intention of following the feeding rule, even as the national media spotlight is starting to shine on the diminutive retired telephone operator and her nose-thumbing of the law. Her story has appeared in papers throughout the nation, including the Washington Post, and CNBC has inquired about doing a story on her next week.
"The deer consider me part of the herd," Minion said. "I will never abandon them."
Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail mfreeman@mailtribune.com
Deer Lady sprung, feeds more critters
Overcrowding at the Siskiyou County Jail accounted for her early release.
Apparently, rehabilitation didn’t occur
By MARK FREEMAN, Mail Tribune (Medford, Ore.)
YREKA, Calif. — Eight days in the Siskiyou County Jail hasn’t deterred Thana Minion from illegally feeding black-tailed deer.
But that second stint behind bars did set up an unusual homecoming Friday for the Deer Lady of Copco Lake.
Minion was released from the overcrowded Siskiyou County Jail late Thursday, eight days into her 30-day jail term for violating California’s don’t-feed-the-deer law.
Friday morning she went right back to providing grain and digging ticks out of the ears of two dozen deer that greeted her like she was a family member returning home from a long trip.
"When they saw me they were so happy that they ran right over and crowded around," said Minion, 52. "They wanted their ticks picked before they ate the grain."
California Department of Fish and Game authorities couldn’t care less about the ticks. But Capt. Chuck Konvalin said his agency will follow up on any information about Minion’s deer- feeding and forward any reports to prosecutors.
Siskiyou County District Attorney Pete Knoll said he doesn’t want to see Minion in jail again, but more jail time could come if she continues publicly flouting the law.
"I have no ax to grind with this lady and I’ve been very clear on that position," Knoll said Friday. "And her point’s been very clear to us: ‘f—- you. I’m gonna do it.’
"I just can’t believe this," he said.
Minion plays matriarch to the large herd of deer that she names, pets, grooms and feeds a mix of oats, barley and other grains.
The California Legislature in 1996 enacted the law specifically for cases in which feeding causes perceived harm to the animals by attracting disease, predators or hunters or by over-taming them to a point where they rely on the illegal feed.
Others found violating the law are told to stop, and state authorities say all but Minion have complied. She is the only one believed to be jailed under the law.
Minion has argued that the law is meant to ban hunters from using bait to attract deer. She also said that, as an American Indian, she has the right to feed these deer as part of her connection to nature.
Minion’s jail sentence was for violating probation from a 1997 conviction of driving while suspended and resisting arrest during an altercation with Fish and Game officers who were trying to encourage her to stop feeding deer.
As part of her probation, she must obey all laws and stop feeding the deer, but she has steadfastly refused.
Minion, who served 45 days in jail for a similar violation in 2000, said her most recent jail stint was "a blast" but that she was happy to get out.
"They have real criminals they need behind bars, not people feeding deer," she said.
Minion was released at 9:32 p.m. Thursday because of overcrowding in the jail, which provides just 14 beds for women inmates, said Capt. Julie Hutchens, the jail commander.
When a new female inmate was admitted, Minion was released because she had completed more of her sentence than the other inmates, Hutchens said.
"She was fine here," Hutchens said. "She follows the rules."
Minion said she has no intention of following the feeding rule, even as the national media spotlight is starting to shine on the diminutive retired telephone operator and her nose-thumbing of the law. Her story has appeared in papers throughout the nation, including the Washington Post, and CNBC has inquired about doing a story on her next week.
"The deer consider me part of the herd," Minion said. "I will never abandon them."
Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail mfreeman@mailtribune.com
