Siman08/OH

I would have to agree with the Euro mount. You can never be 100% sure its yours, just mount it and tell people the story. It leaves for a good open ending for them to make their own conclusions.

buckeye

I think you are worrying to much about what everyone else thinks and not about what you think.

If I was 100% certain that was my buck I would have it mounted, as you killed it and later found it.

If I was not 100% sure it was my buck it would go inwith myshed / skull "trophies".

And I am talking 100% not a doubt, not maybe, or pretty sure or anything else under certain....

In either instance after a month had gone by I would not tag the animal as a bow kill. I would call the game warden for a possession tag.

childers

they say a lot of the time a gut shot deer will loop back or back track

iamyourhuckleberry

Jeff,

This happened to me with the very first deer I ever arrowed. I found it days ( not a month) later. The meat was a total loss. I tagged the deer even though by law I was not required to do so. I killed it, it was my deer-no doubt whatsoever. I would have hated myself had I not tagged it. I would have hated myself even more if I would have been responsible for the demise of more than one deer that year ( I think the conservationist in me was whispering in my ear). With that said, I think in your situation there is reasonable doubt. Sure, some clues have bearing, but are they conclusive? You, and only you,are the judge and jury here. Follow your heart... use your head.

NChunterman

Me Personally I would not tag it. I like the antlers, but ultimately I hunt for the meat. You were not able to partake in any part of the animal so I'd save my tag for an animal that I could put in the freezer. Ethical or not I'm gonna hold out for something I can eat.

TFOX

Agree a 1000%

KodiakArcher

I'm just wondering how killing the deer isn't "taking" him? The deer was removed from the herd. Whether it's in your freezer or not, it's dead and as such, the tag should be punched.

If you even touch a brown bear up here with a bullet or arrow, your tag is punched even if it's not a mortal wound. For all other species: "Your harvest ticket(s) must be carried in the field and must be validated by cutting out the month and day immediately upon killing game." Pretty simple, if you killed it you punch your tag.

We can't decide morals for you Jeff, they're a personal thing. You're the only one that knows whether or not you killed him. You'll have to wrestle with that one on your own but I, for one, amnot going to pass any kind of judgements one way or the other.

niehenke

Tag it or don't tag it; claim it or don't claim it. I like the idea about the Euro mount and tell the story and use as a reminder to practice. I would like to hear more about what mistake was made. From what you said, it is hard for me to believe that this deer went this distance. Was is high and missed the vitals? I really want to hear what the mistake was.

GMMAT

Mistake? I dunno. I'm not ashamed of the shot. I hit where I was aiming. I'm all ears.

Simp

So, what you're saying is that if you were to hit a deer with your truck you'd tag the deer and you'd be done hunting?