How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

First in Connecticut you can not carry a dispatching gun, like a small pistol and you can not carry a rifle or discharge it after dark. Ran into a real mess last week. Shot a 4 point, it was a front quartering shot so I went for the shoulder a bit further than usual to avoid ripping through the chest and into the guts. Well the shot was right on and took out the left shoulder but deflected and came out the other side forward and removed the right front leg. 70 yards propped and open area shot. The buck reared up and wandered off with tail between his legs so I knew I had a significant hit. This was just before dark, ½ hour so I went up to the house a ¼ mile or so away and put the 270 away. Went to fetch the deer and their was a significant blood trail. About a 100 yards out I found him lying down head up and quite alive. He got up and moved about 10 yards and went down but was sitting up alive. Now is the dilemma I have no gun and he has 8 inch Ys and it is dark. In Connecticut the only legal kill is the knife and I surely was not going to try to grab him to use a knife. The question is what to do? I did dispatch him quickly as is ethically requiredbut the method is best left with the woods.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

The only legal choice other than the knife in that situation would be to let it bleed out .

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Throw a rope around it's neck and string him up to suffocate.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

[quote]I did dispatch him quickly as is ethically requiredbut the method is best left with the woods. [/qoute]

enough said!;) :D time will do it ; but how much time and what the animal goes through.most of the time there in shock, so no problem there.I have had to catch a deer and use a knife on three different occasions.it is not a pretty sight,if only someone had a camera.:D :D :D.

if the animal is not mortially wounded , then you don't want to try and catch one, "Bad Mistake." I guess it all depends on the area and the person,and you laws.
you did the right thang.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

When I come across deer hit by a car or I hit a deer I just walk up and cut the jugular veins. It allows them to bleed out real quick. I would use this at your own risk. My Grandfather got kicked in the nuts once doing this so I would be careful.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Knife, either slice the throat or puncture the lungs. I carry a Sog Seal knife in my car and when I hunt just for that reason. A K-Bar or something simular would work as well. I have had to do it a few times. I walk around the deer and aproach it from the back side (opposite end of the feet, not the butt) that way I can't get kicked. I walk up calmly and put the knife thru the lungs and back up. Only takes few seconds. Then I wait for the deer to expire. Not a pretty sight but it works. Same thing that happens when you bow hunt, you just don't always see it.

The reason I use the larger knife is because I know It's long enough and sharp enough to go thru both lungs with a quick poke to the hilt.

If it's on the side of the road you can call a sherrif and they will do the deed with shotgun or something sometimes.

If a deer doesn't get up and run when you walk up it doesn't have a whole lot of fight left in it, or energy. I have drug injured deer off the road while still alive and they didn't have the energy to hurt me.

Paul

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

I hope your joking.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Yes, many here say go up and cut his throat, but has anyone here seen someone that has been kicked in the leg, chest or stomach by a dying deer? Whichever wayyou decide to expire it, be very careful how you approach it.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Fortunatly, I have been able to avoid having to do this but
If the knife through the lungs is a good idea would it be wise to cut a long (8-10 foot) tree limb and duct tape the knife to it?
I cant see walking up to it and cutting its throat. Just seems too dangerous

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

It's not real safe to dispatch a deer with a knife. Especially if there is only one of you. Even though I've do it a few times, it should be used only as a last option, and done extremely careful

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

I had to slice a couple throats in my life. Found a doe that had been hit by a car. Just walked up in front of her and did the deed. There isnt much a downed deer can do if you approach from the front. Don't get me wrong, I was still kinda weary. She then got enough energy and crawled in the creek and bled out.

The other time was when I shot way to high on a doe and hit the spine. She made this awful noise when I was going to her. It was the first one I ever had to cut in the throat. It wasnt a pretty sight. Hope those are the only two times I have to do that, it won't be though I'm sure.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Well I guess Im lucky i have never had to do that but if i did i guess i would just slice their throat or break their neck:eek:

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

if slitting the throat is not an option you can always just put another shot straight through the vital area (thats hard to miss).

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Thats what I would honestly do as well. I dont care if it was past legal shooting light. If an animal is suffering in that way, there should be an exception. If i got fined for doing it, I would proudly pay it because I would honestly believe I did what was right.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

If they are still alert dispatching via knife to throat wouldn't be the safest idea. A few years back a hunter here was gored and died by doing this on his wounded buck. I would put another round in them or back away and let nature take its course.

If they are basically down and out but still mustering breaths you could cut the throat but I would probably error on the side of caution and wait it out.

I have seen a few deer play possum so whatever you do use caution. If unsure a poke in the eye with a stick will tell you the score. If they blink be careful of your next move!!!!!

I actually approachgame from the rear this way they have a clear escape route that I am not in the path of. This allows me to see chest wall movementsasI get in tightbut usually if they havemuch left when coming from the rear they will try to re-position to see the pursuer.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

The CO's I know of would be willing to look the other way on this one. If they hear one shot after shooting hours and upon investigation it is clear to them that it was a shot made to finish the deer off, they would not make an issue of it.

Last spring during Turkey season, I happened upon a 1 year old baby bull moose that was infested with ticks and had no chance for survival. I went to a nearby farm and called the CO. He asked my to expire the animal and he'd come later on to pick it up.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Well said...

Weoften hear: "We owe it toan injured or woundeddeer to put it down as quickly as possibly"...I agree with that statements and would use my firearm again, regardless of the time.

If it cost me, that's a chance I waswilling to take.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

well, if he wasnt moving too much, id just slice the jugular. if its really alive and kicking, personally id just shoot it again, even if its after dark.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

I agree with Skeeter- poke it with a stick first to see how much life is left in it. I'd be very careful if I had to stab it or cut its throat. My cousin got kicked in the face and chest when he went to gut a "dead" deer. First time I ever saw someone get beat up by a deer. Even though it's after dark and not legal I'd probably shoot it too.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

i didnt know we couldnt track game on sundays until this year here in PA...you FIRST have to get a permit or the OK to do such a thing.....i say HA to that.....and if i was in that situation i WOULD had my rifle....and if i had a good clean safe shot down he would went..dark or not....im not all about letting animals suffer...thats one thing i dont like......i know bad shots happen...and i know theres tough deer out there......my buddy took one down HARD with his flintlock....drug itself 50yds to the road...blood real good.....got up and ran across the road to never be seen again...no blood no nothing.....couldnt find it with 8 guys looking!!!! so im not bashing you or anything......but times like that i dont care if i have to break the law or not....if its safe...and needed to be done ill do it......yes i had to track a deer on a sunday here too.....had no idea we couldnt track deer on sundays or in the dark here.....kinda funny...say a shoot a deer saturday evening last light...runs off....im not letting it lay until monday morning!!!!! glad yo took care of it.....but without a gun it would be a tough job......im sure you know...im not jumping on no deer with a knife....clubbing it....or trying to laso it......

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

I always deer hunt with my dad. He is a police officer and therefore can carry a handgun anywhere in the country and discharge it at any time. Though he never carries in the woods, if we are near our house, he will go back and get a handgun.

If we are out of state in NY,we huntrural areas and noone really minds if there are shots after dark, we hear them all the time. We would just shoot it again with our shotguns, never had to do it yet after dark, but that would be our only option or just let it bleed out over night and go back in the morning.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

I thought the assumption here was that you didn't have a firearm? If I had a firearm I would certainly shoot it.

Never aproach a deer near thier feet, especially the front ones. This is how they fight and defend themselves. The will use thier feet before thier horns most of the time. Like I said, I aproach the deer from from the opposite side of it's feet towards the back end. This way if it gets up it will just run away. If it doesn't get up it most likely isn't going to do much. I'm sure there is always that chance though.

If you can poke it in the eye with a stick you can stab it. If it gets up and wheels around on me I would rather have a knife in my hand than a stick.

Your best bet would be to just wait it out though.

As far as carrying a weapon when I'm not allowed to, I wouldn't do it. I like to think I'm as compassionate as the next guy, but I am not going to jail or paying a huge fine for an animal I was going to kill anyway.

Just my opinion though.

Paul

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Personally I prefer the ice pick to the back of the neck method...sorry watchedone to many mob movies.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

Just shoot the thing. Its hard to trace where one shot came from anyway, unless the wardens are right there. Youd have nothing much to worry about. Heck ive done it before and im sure many others here have as well.

RE: How to dispatch a wounded deer legally
 

I haven't had to do it yet, but I sure would do it. It is the most ethical method. If someone's questions the safety of the shot, put the muzzle just off of his chest or head depending on where you want to shoot him/her, and let one rip.