There is definitely validity to what you have just said,I don't disagree.I was trying to carry forward the situation that had occurred from the original post,someone coming upon an animal "fairly quickly" after shooting it to find it not going any where but not dying very quickly,if it were day light you would shoot it again,but now in theory if you are one second beyond legal shooting hours you are a poacher.I know that is not the example that was described but if you view it by the letter of the law that would be the implication.
There are so many possible scenario's that
it is hard to use a one size fit's all answer.The law,is the law is the law and we are held accountable to it.Fortunately I have never been in a similar circumstance and hope I never will be!
It was interesting about what someone said about not being able to carry a loaded gun in the dark.I hunt every year out of state in area's where there is a decent mountain lion population as well as a healthy wolf population and I routinely walk in the dark for miles.My gun stay's loaded until I get to the truck.I will have to check the Idaho game laws to see if I am technically violating the law.I may be a criminal and not know it.
Peace! Merry Christmas!