gzg38b

GMMAT's post on ethics got me thinking about another scenario.

Let's say you hit one a little far back, track it all night but don't find it. You go out the next day to continue searching and you find it. BUT - the coyotes found her first, and there is literally nothing left but a head, some fur, and bones.

Are you legally required to tag the deer, even though the the coyotes left nothing for you? Are you ethically required to tag the deer?

kill_it_n_grill_it

Well, is there any evidence that in fact you shot this deer?

GMMAT

Speaking for me personally.....it meets all the reuirements of a kill AND a recovery. I don't see how you could NOT tag it.

I also think there's plenty who wouldn't.....especially in reduced harvest (limited tags) states.

gzg38b

The arrow is covered in blood and green slime. How about that?

bawanajim

Ethics come to play when you tag a P/Y set of horns and then carry them out of the same woods that you left last weeks doe to rot in.

sdmonster

I would tag it then call the warden and see if there's anything that could be done so I could get some meat on the table. They may give a doe tag.

hunter25

Still might be tough to prove that you're the one who shot it. From the sounds of the hypothetical, there isn't a way to distinguish this deer as the one you shot the day(s) before.

But if I knew for a fact that it was my deer, then yes, I would tag the doe then go buy another tag. Then read up on how to track an animal properly as obviously I did a piss-poor job the first go around.

Killer_Primate

I think legally, it could probably be argued either way, but I would not tag it.
KP

kevin1

In my state the carcass has to be intact other than field dressing to check it in, so I would leave what was left for the varmints and use the tag elsewhere. That would be legal here.

Finch

Honestly, I would not tag it if it's not going home with me.