Another ethics / legal question
 

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?

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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.

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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.

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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.

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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.

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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.

RE: Another ethics / legal question
 

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