If I have a tag and the animal is suffering I'll put an arrow where it needs to be to put the animal down. If the animal was recovering (such as the case you've mentioned) I would have to decide at that time. If he looked otherwise healthy and was recovering then I'd likely let him walk. A lot can be told by the animals body language, what it says will determine how I react.

If I don't have an open tag there is little I can or would do. The law is the law and a warden is unlikely to be sympathetic to the animal or myself if I'm in violation.

I prolly would have let him have it, but thats just me. We have a big probelm with dogs running deer in my area, and i rather put an arrow through it than have it run to death by a stinking dog.

how, exactly, do you determine in a few seconds if the deer is "suffering"?? deer have a remarkable ability to live and survive. i agree with the above post thaat if you want the deer, take it. dont justify shooting it if it walks w/ a limp.