NY, I don't usually like to start questioning peoples hunting abilities! But all of these "what if's," are beginning to raise doubts! You should know that very few gun-shot deer survive!
All of this nit-picky, holier-than-thou, stuff is going too far!
You say that in NY, it is illegal to dispatch a wounded deer at night, with a gun, and that the Wardens are strict!
Well, to the "letter of the law," its probably illegal in most states! In fact, here in Texas, its illegal to shoot a deer hit by an auto, AND its illegal to even take it without a special permit!
If I come across a wounded deer, or shoot one, I WILL finish the job! I will take my chances with the Wardens! While most of them are strict, they do have sense too!
A "mercy kill," just IS NOT the same as trespassing, stealing, hunting out of season, and IS NOT even the same as spotlighting! Sheesh! ITS JUST DOING THE HUMANE THING!