Is this an ethics Question??
 

Even with the howling wind I went out this AM. Itstrangly calmed down just as good light shined.

I saw a small fork horn that I have seen more than once. Seems like a regular. This deer walks like one rear leg is shorter than the other and sort of drags it. Not sure if he has been hit by a car in the past or broke the leg or hip at some point. I could have laced him good at 20yds on the money.

My questionis would you shoot this deer out of courtesy and use up your last buck tag or would you let him pass and let nature take it's course? He looks a little thin but I can see no visible injuries.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Here in Western PA, I would not legally be allowed to shoot him. I guess it depends on how bad the injury is and if you were putting him out of his misery. There are a few guys who have done that this year on the this forum and I think they all feel they made the right decision.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

deer can get along finw with some pretty serious wounds...you don't need to kill everyone with a pimple or a limp

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I've seen deer in Minnesota make it through a winter on 3 legs after having there leg blew off half way down from gun hunters. As you all know winters in Minnesota can be some of the toughest around. If he looks healthy i wouldn't bother with it, if he isn't healthy i would shoot him. I've taken bucks, doe's, fawn's through out the year's that have been wounded during the gun season with my bow because i didn't think they would make it through the winter.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I have no regrets for taking the one I did 2 weeks ago. I have two buck tags, though. I never hesitated. When I went to examine his leg, I was touching bare bone. Looked recent.....and like I said....I never hesitated. I'd burn my other one if I see it again.

On the flip side.....I agree that they can survive some unbeleivable injuries. It's a personal decision on what to do (take or pass). I won't judge anyone for making either.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I have a feeling Jeff, you would down just about anything you see.

To answer the posters questions, no I wouldn't shoot it if I don't want the deer. I don't feel the need to go trying to act like God, putting everything out of its misery.

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RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Trust your gut you know how the deer looks. Deer are able to survive many ailments just as we are. #&!! I know a few people who walk like that and do just fine.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

And I don't have to answer to you, BC. You know nothing about me.

I had over 50 deer sightings, today alone. If I wanted to shoot everything that came under me.....I couldn't afford the amount of BH's it would take. I'll shoot what I want to. Ialso wonder why you care what I shoot.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Did someone say you had to answer to me?[:-] Don't think so. Just making conversation and little joking man. Are you saying your friends in life don't give you a little ribbin?

It just cracks me up when you post. Keep it up. I have no problems with the way you post or hunt. In fact I like you. It just cracks me up, its very important that you let everyone know it was injuried and you had to take it out. But you havn't posted this once, or even twice, but over and over. Its very important that you post, if you killed, it has to be either a trophy, deer mgt, or wounded so you had too.

I hunt cause I like deer meat, and like the hunt. I might shoot a nice 8, might shoot a doe, might shoot a 4pt on occasion. Don't have to have any other reason than, "boy, those tenderloins are going to be good".

It cracks me up even more when I see folks on this page breaking thier arms patting themselves on thier back, for shooting a deer they believe has bad quality of life. Who am I tomake that decision to put something out of its misery. I mean these lame deer or deer with a limp, wants to live. They are hardwired with the desire to live. But then comes old JoeSmoe making that decision for him. Its God's will that animals are here for our food source.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Good post BC

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I know here in upstate NY you can get another tag if the deer you shot has something wrong with it,ex ganggreen. Butyou have to get it from a DEC officer.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I have a set criteria of deer I wanted to shoot, this year, BC. That little buck didn't fit into that criteria. Color me a softy....but the sad part of that day was seeing that deer injured. It'll bother me to see such as long as I'm around.

"Who am I to make that decision to put something out of it's misery"? Don't we all make a similar decision EVERY TIME we kill something?I suppose we're all "Joe Smoe"'s.

When my season began....I had a criteria of animals I wanted to take. It included ANY doe...and a class of buck that the one I took didn't fit. I don't want a pat on the back for taking the buck I did. It just bothered me to see him like that. I've been hunting a little over 2 years, now...and it's the first time I've seen one injured. I honestly had never thought about what I would do. I just "shot". No regrets. He's in the freezer.

Have a good one...

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Jeff, the injured buck you shot was probably one of BCs 70 yards shot gone bad.[:o]

See BC, thats how it feels when somebody who knows nothing about you says something to make you feel bad.[>:]

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Thats pretty funny. I like that one.:D You never did figure out why I wrote that post did Ya?;)

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Doesn't sound like an ethics question at all. Any deer you shoot is suppose to be tagged. Any thought otherwise is a legal question. Would I shoot a deer simply because it limps.... NO. Deer have grown to be old minus a leg and other things. You want to play God... tag it and consider your season over. If you want the deer shoot it. If he appears scrawny and underweight, I wouldn't shoot him. I want meat not kudos for killing an animal because he limps. Heck, look at all the old folks walking around with walkers and canes. Should we put them down or keep them off the street. I don't think so. The deer may be ill or under the weather but still can recover and do well. I don't see this as ethics... simply do I want this deer.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I don't know, I am questioning your quality of life these days[:-]

Just kiddin, I know you live the good life these days. You don't have to get up at 4AM, and fight the beltway traffic anymore. That to me would increase my quality of life 10 fold. Maybe someone better arrow me.:D

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Jeff, kudos to you for taking the wounded deer out! I've done the same as previously stated in this thread. No one needs to hear comments of us trying to play god, thats redicluous! The more years you hunt the more oppertunities you will get to do what you did the other day, i hope you choose the same decision if the deer needs to be taken! Its damn good ethics Jeff!

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

I shot my buck this weekend he had a broken leg and some road rash. It was my only buck tag. I beleive I did the right thing but I still wish I had a second Tag.

RE: Is this an ethics Question??
 

Congrats on the buck! Regardless of what others may say i think what you did was great!