After four years of evading hunters in Washington County, a legendary buck known as “Drop Tine” was finally taken down by Joseph Socobasin on November 19. The deer, named for a unique tine growing down on its antlers, became a local fascination as it roamed a four-mile area and appeared only in the dark. Socobasin, a game warden for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, had been hunting for Drop Tine since it first appeared on game cameras in 2020, and after multiple near misses, he finally succeeded in 2023.
The 180-pound, 14-point buck had become a symbol of persistence for Socobasin, who felt a spiritual connection to his hunt for the majestic animal. Despite several hunters, including his brother and nephew, also pursuing Drop Tine over the years, it was Socobasin who ultimately had the honor of taking it down.
After a careful and well-planned hunt, Socobasin spotted Drop Tine in the daylight and was able to bring it down with a well-placed shot. Reflecting on his achievement, Socobasin expressed both sadness and respect for the animal, vowing to honor it with a special taxidermy display. The long-awaited victory over Drop Tine, a creature that had eluded hunters and captured imaginations for years, was a fitting end to a remarkable chapter in the hunting history of Washington County.
Source
Photo credit www.bangordailynews.com