That is a tough question!! I've wounded 2 deer, that I didn't recover, when I was younger, I didn't tag either of them!!

My feelings are, that as long as your following your states laws, your doing the "right" thing!!

Ethically, I'm torn!!!

GMMAT,

What would you tag? You have nothing physical to attach a tag too. No leg, no antler...nothing. Unless your state does not deal w/ a physical tag to attach to the animal.

Next question: Why would you WANT to tag something that you have no idea if it even expired? If you know it's dead, go pick it up. Otherwise, you do not know it's fate...not 100% anyway.

Might still be walking in the woods...stranger things have happened. Deer are tough animals and there are have numerous cases over the years where they have survived a shot from one of us hunters. You know all of this though.

I know you want to do the "right" thing, but the right frame of mind is to accept the fact that unrecovered deer is just part of hunting. It happens to everyone (in most cases) unfortunately. You don't have to like it, but it is part of the deal.

Here in IL, if you are checking in a deer (doe or buck) you must take measurements of certain body parts...distances between two points, etc. Need the deer to do that.

I'm not questioning where your heart is because it's obvious you have great respect for the deer in which you hunt, which is a breath of fresh air. But don't beat yourself up w/ regards to ethics, as your situation is not calling for an ethical outcome. You did your best to recover a wounded deer and it didn't work out this time...next time it will.

Good luck to ya...

No, theres nothing to tag......you didnt find it, it died of natural causes.

You guys seem to think I have some sort of ulterior motive for asking a simple question. I don't.

When you assess a situation.....you have to (in my eyes....and in the state of NC's eyes) determine in your mind (with the experienced advice from ohters, if aailable) if you think the deer you injured is alive or dead. If it's dead....it MUST be tagged.

Rem's right.....in NC I don't have to physically "tag" a deer. We simply call them in.

So.......is it such a stupid question? Here's one.....You shoot one and it runs into a swift river during it's death circle. It's CLEARLY dead......but do you tag this one if you can't put your hands on it? What's the difference?

Do me a fav and call it in and let us know what they say? State exactly what you did here and see if they head out for a bloody mary.

Its automated....

If you feel the deer is DEAD, and you must tag a DEAD deer. Then, I would say, tagging it is the right thing to do!!

Edit... I agree with Fraley! Make a phone call!!

Jeff do whatever brings your mind at peace. You have unlimited does right?

Fraley.....

I won;t answer your post in the same SA manner it was posed......but let's just say we can "tag" a deer without talking to anyone. I did so, this morning on the first doe. A few clicks of the mouse and I can "tag" a deer.....and all from my coffee table at 6:00AM.

I agree w/ Fraley then...go ahead and tag if it will make you feel better. Then go and buy more tags and hit the next one in the bread-basket. Not for what you want to hear, but I wish you all the luck in the world in your next hunt!