Well the code of ethics says the FIRST vital wound gets the deer. True the guy wouldn' t have gotten him on his own. He was ready to give up... remember? I really question HOW VITAL his shot was. You said there was 20 minutes between his shots and when the deer came walking and feeding your way. Sounds like he hit shoulder muscle and didn' t even get into the rib cage. A close examination of the interior of the chest wall will tell you the story. IT' s up to you guys to work it out of course. NO deer is worth a family feud over.