Well the law is pretty clear like it or not. If you shoot a deer out of season without a permitt to do that deer is considered poached. doesn't matter the reason in the eyes of the law. Like the above post says. if the deer is lying there you are supposed to call the authorities and they will come and put it down if that is what they decide to do.

Don't get into the thinking that you know what is best for the wild life. I've seen all kinds of animals hurt, some of them so bad I didn't think they would make it. Some I never saw again and some I saw all healed up and doing fine. How does anyone really know how bad an animal is hurt? You would have to catch it, X ray it do all kinds of test on it and have a vet interput the results for ya.

I always shake my head when people think a deer should be put down because it appears to hurt to live. All you are really doing is looking for a reason to kill something. Hunters don't really need to do mother natures work, she will take care of the deer in her own way.

mercy killings are not really needed at all when it comes to wildlife.