RE: Another ethics / legal question
I think the legal requirements here in VA are that a reasonable effort be made to harvest the deer. If I made a reasonable effort (and I would make a LOT of effort) and did not recover the deer, and the coyotes got a free meal,then I would not feel compelled to tag it. I think that tagging requirements only apply to harvested deer, legally and ethically. If the coyotes got it, it means I didn't. And it means that they didn't have to get another deer for that meal. But if it was anice buck and Idecided to takethe antlers as a trophy, then I would tag it, as Idid harvestsomething.
Think of it this way: If you are pretty sure (80%+) the deer you shot died, but you couldn't find it (maybe there is a swift river running nearby or a swamp where the deer could sink in and not be recoverable), would you feel compelled to use a tag just because you thought it died? Again, I tag anything I harvest, but not anything I don't.