You'll be OK, don't beat yourself up over this. Since she wasn't moving, I would've went back an hou or two later to check. Legal or not I can't understand the rationale of leaving her and not finishing her off,to me this is one case where ethical is right and legal is not!

I typed out a well written reponse last night but the modem timed out. Not HNI, my wireless. Every now and again I have to reset it and at 2:00 am, it wasn't going to be then so I turned off the puter and feel asleep.

Can't say anything more than whats been said but to sum what I wrote last night that I didn't read here was, could someone had stayed behind and waited her out? She let you get that close, if you could have back off and listened?

I was hoping to log on this morning and read of the recovery. I'm still pulling for you my friend.

Well updates?? You were here reading thought a reply was coming??

I would have shot her last night also. I've had to finish one off after dark. The green crap on the arrow could also have been from the arrow passing through her food pipe. It's happened to me. Perfect shot from above through a lung the food pipe and out under the off side shoulder. The arrow was covered with green gook, but since I saw the hole appear in the deer when I shot(only about8 feet up in another guys stand) I was sure of the hit. Terrible blood trail but he only made it about 85 yards.

What i was thinking. I would say just going on what you said 20% chance deflection on shoulder (or even rib) lead to gutshot, and 80% chance of this. Either way 90% chance she is dead within 20 yards of where you saw her.

I hate having to do that...
I don't think there is a right or wrong decision on this one. I understand why you did what you did. I can also see putting another "illegal" arrow in her (dumb law). That being said, I have had that situation and have used the arrow and knife trick in the past.
Personally, I'd rather put 'em out. I feel we owe it to the deer.
Good luck. Please keep us posted.

Just spoke with Fraley and he did find his doe. Ended up not 50 yards from where he shot it. He will be back online tonight to give more details!

Congrats buddy!

Good... I am very happy for him.
Tough situation.

All that I can add is Good Luck Captain.

Sorry to hear about your situation, Fraley. Sounds like it was a good shot, so don't beat yourself up for it.

I understand your decision to back out and wait until morning andI respect it and do not fault you at all for it.But for me, when ethical conflicts with legal, ethical wins, especially if I think that Istand little chance ofgetting caught and I think the illegal thing is the right thing to do. But that's part of my ethics and not necessarily yours. Other people may put legalities higher on the ethics scale than I do, and I respect that, too.

Don't lose any sleep over it. You made a good shot and you did what you thought was right.