RE: Finishing off a deer
I think that some posters are confusing a concern for the animal with regret or remorse. I don't think that any of those that had to put down a deer with a finishing shot are sorry they did it. They're sorry it happened. Big difference.
I've put down 2 and was pretty relieved both times. I nonetheless wished for better circumstances. Once the animal was mortally wounded the quickest avenue out is best. And when it is performed it is good for all. We can quibble about bad shots but if you are blessed to have never had one it's possible that others have done more hunting than you.
The natural traits and abilities of empathy, sensitivity andrespect are not to be confused with weakness erupting from cold feet upon the act of killing. That happens too, and when it does sometimes the hunter with that emotion DOESN'T ever hunt again. It happens.
The ability to let oneself feel or imagine the pain and misery of other creatures is one of the things that, perhaps theoretically, separates us from the other creatures of the earth. The respect and valuing of all life is not a deal breaker in becoming a hunter. Far from it. In fact, the less respect you pay your quarry the more you are announcing it's lack of value.
Still, it can be a messy business to take an animals life, and we all have to decide how and when we do it, and how we choose to view it and experience it. The one who takes a life has at least that right.