I would also follow the first blood rule in that situation, but I am pretty sure as far as the law goes, the hunter that administers the actual killing shot (final blow) is the one who has legal claim to the critter. A week or so ago, there was a thread about an animal running into the highway, andin that instance, the motorist that hits the animal has legal right to claim it, whether it had been shot or not. I think the same thing applies here. I had seen on a hunting show one time, it was a do-it-yourself kind of show, and the guy shot a buck on public land, it ran off,maybe 100yards, and when they followed the blood trail, all they found were drag marks where someone had claimed the deer. Unless it is tagged, I don't think the hunter has any actual claim to it when it is laying in the woods. Cowardly, unethical way to get an animal, absolutely. Legal way, I think so. Correct me if I'm wrong on this please if anyone knows the exact law.