chef#1

I WARCHED A HUNTING SHOW ON OLN THIS MORNING. HUNTING THE HEARTLAND IT WAS CALLED(TERRIBLE SHOW). THEY SHOWED A DEER FAVORING HIS FORELEG AND HE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE HOOF.

HERES THE QUESTION. WOULD YOU HAVE TAKEN THE DEER BECAUSE IT WAS HURT OR WOULD YOU HAVE LET IT LIVE?

I WOULD HAVE TRIED TO GET IT CLOSE ENOUGH TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION THEN MADE A DECISION BEST FOR THE DEER. DONT FORGET YOU WILL USE ONE OF YOUR TAGS.

THIS BRINGS UP A SECOND ISSUE. LAST YEAR I SHOT A DOE THAT HAD A LARGE MASS ON HER LEFT SIDE. I TOOK THE DEER TO OUR VET AND HE EXAMINED HER FOUND THAT SHE HAD CANCER. I WENT TO THE DNR OFFICER AND SHOWED HIM THE DEER. I ASKED HIM FOR A SECOND TOG TO REPLACE THE ONE USED FOR HER. HE ISSUED A ORDER TO REPLACE THE TAG. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE?

HUNT ON HUNT HARD EAT WELL

amosgreg

I havn't had a tag replaced but that makes sense to me.
As far as taking an injured animal, I havn't been put into that situation but if it came I probobly would as all we, as hunters need, is me passing up that shot and the animal dying in an anti's yards and the resulting publicity surronding not following up on wounded game. If the injury is undetermanable such as a limp with no visiable wound then I would take the animal if I had the shot and the tag.
This could be an old auto injury, fighting or even predator wound.


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."
Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

Edited by - amosgreg on 09/17/2002 09:36:11

M Bucker

I saw a big doe last year right after gun season that was limping. My first thought was that someone had wounded her during the season and I talked to the land owner to see if we should go after her. She said "nahhh, we call her the gimpy doe, she's been around for a few years now". So they are pretty resiliant.

But in answer to your question, yes, I would take a deer if I thought it was wounded or sick.

HuntingBry

Many times if you bring a deer in that has evidence of previous injury, disease, or anything else that is likely to taint the meat the DNR will issue a new tag. Another thing to consider is that our obligation as hunters is to improve the health of the herd. In reality we are merely a tool that state wildlife commissions use to accomplish herd management. Therefore, if a hunter was to be doing this job well, he/she would remove a weak, inferior, or injured animal from the herd. I'm not saying this is what WILL happen, but it is what SHOULD happen. I myself would probably take the deer and end its suffering. I have enough tags and venison that I would do it without a second thought.

Edited by - huntingbry on 09/17/2002 09:27:37

BobCo19-65

In a nutshell, yes, I would put down a wounded deer, and I have in many occasions.

SW Iowa Hunter

I saw the same show and in my opinion the deer needed to be put down. I hope they shot the deer off camera. I didn't blame them for not doing it on camera. That deer appeared to have a broken leg and if I remember right that is what the hunter said as well. I would have put the deer down. We hunt late muzzleloader season in Iowa and will come across wounded deer that need put down every once in a while.

King Hugh

What's right, isn't always legal, when given the choice, I do what is right. The coyotes need to eat, and no creature should have to suffer.

And that's all I'm going to say on that issue.



I'll take good luck over skill any day!

NJ-Bowhunter

&quot;I have a friend <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot; who came across this very situation last year. It was outside of the 6 day Buck season (shotgun) and my &quot;friend&quot; didn't have the appropriate tag. A wounded and limping 4pt. very slowly approached his stand for aprox. 30-45min. The deer had a badly wounded front left leg and the joint had been seemingly destroyed by an automobile. Additionally, it seemed as if the buck was looking a little thin in the ribs. In an effort to put the animal out of its apparent misery, &quot;my friend&quot; thought long and hard before ultimately deciding to take a clean shot at 40yrds with 000buckshot (from what I've heard <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)and quickly put the animal out of its misery. However, fearful of the game warden's possible response to this <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>(NJ can be a B****) my friend opted to not tag the deer becaused he feared that his mercy killing could backfire on him and his license<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>. To this day my &quot;friend&quot; still wonders if he did the right thing (not tagging out/reporting it). If you have an opinion, I'm sure he'd like to hear it...I'll pass along the word.

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> &quot;

SW Iowa Hunter

NJ Bowhunter, you can tell your friend that I think he did the right thing. I would have done the same thing.

Anthony Hunter

interesting topic.
This year ft hood (military base) has issued each hunter a CWD tag. If you see a deer that shows signs of CWD you can shoot it and turn it over for testing. you loose the deer but it gives the hunter the ability to remove questionable deer. I just wonder if people will try to use it when they shoot that button buck they thought was a doe, that way they can keep their buck tag?????