ORIGINAL: zak123
If you saw a deer that was shot by a poacher out of season, and there was 0% chance of survival, would you ease the pain and shoot it? I don't know if I would. I would want to help it expire quickly and painlessly, but would I be considered a poacher?
In the context of your question shoot the poacher first then put the animal down. Just joking. If its on my property I am putting it down. Here in Missouri the sherrifs departments won't come on private property to put down and animal. They will however respond to car vs. animals on the road if the animal is mortily wounded. If you call the conservation department to take care of it you may wait weeks to here from anyone. One of 2 things I would do on private property: 1) Call the Game warden at home. - Get much better responce this way. 2) take of it myself.
Sometimes a higher law exist other than the law of the land.