You know what I would tell the ethics police.[8D]

There is your answer. It only matters what YOU think/feel. Logic points to this being your deer. So does your gut instinct. If you do keep it, I too would tag it and move on...chalk it up to one successful season. If you don't keep it, go thwack another. Don't fear the ethics police eitherway.

I do have a question though, did the wound appear to be a gaping Rage gash wound?

The wound appeared to be about a 3" gash. I could easily see it as a rage 2 blade wound. I tried sticking my knife down in it....but it honestly wouldn't go down in there, freely. I had to push a little to get it to go.

Just being honest.

Whether decomposurere had anything to do with this....I don't know. No expert.

The can of worms comes from this. You brought up the question of what the correct protocol is in this situation. Do you tag it or not was your concern. Then afterwards you became concerned about potential ethical issues should you decide not to tag. At least that's how I read it. Combining those two concerns it looks to me like a can of worms is all I was saying, since this is a public forum.

I really don't care one way or the other what you do. Only you know if that deer is yours or not and only you can decide what the corrrect course of action is. It doesn't affect me either way.

I think the issue (if there is one) comes in whether or not I claim this deer as mine. How can I keep hunting for bucks if I claim I've taken two (the limit, here)?

That's my dilemma. If I killed it.....and I claim it.....I'm gonna tag it (unless someone tells me a legitimate reason why I shouldn't....AND why it's OK to keep hunting for a buck. I just don't see it being a choice (to keep hunting AND claim this deer as a bowkill).

That really blows Jeff, but at least you're gonna get the facts if it is him.

I look at it as you didn't take two, even if it's the one you shot. It got away, died, spoiled and you didn't recover it. Oh sure, you found the bones weeks later, but you lost this deer if it's yours. If the coyotes had been on the job you probably wouldn't have found anything. To me it's just like the biggest fish that always seems to get away. I don't care if he swallows the hook and dies, you didn't get him. And like I say, as far as keeping the rack, that becomes a legal thing state by state.

Would there be any difference if you found the buck in a couple more months when the season is over and you are not able to tag him? I say just do a nice euro mount and forget about the tag!!

Wow, I should have read the whole thread[&:]. Jeff, if I were you, and you are almost certain it's your buck (it seems to me like you are), I'd be tagging him, and hanging up the bow, or getting some more does for meat. That's just what I would do, and feel the right thing to do is. Let us know what you end up doing.

No....There wouldn't. I just had a phone conversation with Rob and I'm gonna euro mount him (after talking to Chris....my GW) and keep hunting.

I appreciate everyone's honest opinions. I'll clear my intentions with my GW and move on.