Tonight while leaving the woods I saw a pathetic sight. It was a basket rack buck that had it' s left hind lower leg shot off and seemed to be in great difficulty. I watched him for a couple of minutes trying to decide whether to shoot or not. He was just outside of my confidence range (30 yds) and I was having many conflicting emotions while watching him hobble along.

Normally I would not even consider taking the shot. The deer seemed to be in distress and I could see that he was missing his lower leg. He was broadside and hobbling slowly along. I decided to try and end his suffering. At the shot he gave a little kick and disappeared into the darkness. I looked for my arrow or blood but found neither. Tomorrow I will be back to search in the daylight.

What would you have done? I really have a problem with people trying to shoot beyond their ablilities and now I think I might have done it myself. I keep justifying it to myself as the " right" thing to do but I am not so sure?

Its hard to say what I would have done, but I really think that I would have done the same thing. I wouldnt beat yourself up about it. Good luck, and let us know what you find in the morning.

I would have done the same thing!!!

I don' t think you could of made the situtation any worse from your post. Good luck in the morning.

I believe you did the right thing Steve.Had a similar experience happen in shotgun season a while back,emptied my gun on him to end his misery quick.

Joe

I' d have taken the shot too Steve. I sure hope you find him tomorrow. Keep us posted.

I think you did the right thing.

YUP... I think I' d do the same thing, especially if he' s as bad as you indicate. Even if you gut shoot it it' s going to be a more merciful death than what he has in store for him. HOPE you find him over the next bush.

Yep I think you did the right thing

Yeah from the sound of it you did the right thing! Hopefully he is NOT suffering any more! Let us know the outcome! Good Luck!