Question about being legal or ethical
#1
Question about being legal or ethical
I'm hunting one morning and a doe steps out. She is badly injured. She can't put any weight on one of her back legs and has a severe limp on one of her front legs. Normally I would waste no time in putting her down. The only problem is that it is not an either sex day. She is obviously in bad shape. I put my crosshairs on her but decide not to shoot. That night all I could think about was should I have taken her. I thought about coyotes or dogs taking her down. I know it's nature but I hate to see her suffer or go to waste. I tell myself if I see her tomorrow I am going to take her. The next morning guess who steps out in the exact same place? She still looks bad. I put my crosshairs on her again. What do I do? It's a tough decision. Should I be ethical and shoot her or should I be legal and let her go? What would you have done in this situation? I will tell you what I did after I see a few of your responses.
#2
RE: Question about being legal or ethical
I would shoot it, then ignore the preaching that is soon to follow here.
However, if it now looks like the deer is staying in that area, it might be worth calling the local game warden andasking him what should be done.
However, if it now looks like the deer is staying in that area, it might be worth calling the local game warden andasking him what should be done.
#6
RE: Question about being legal or ethical
ORIGINAL: Lanse couche couche
However, if it now looks like the deer is staying in that area, it might be worth calling the local game warden andasking him what should be done.
However, if it now looks like the deer is staying in that area, it might be worth calling the local game warden andasking him what should be done.
#7
RE: Question about being legal or ethical
In this situation, everyone has an opinion on what the "best" decision is.
Some will say to follow the law regardless and iothers will say do the ethical thing regardless of what the law says.
I know what I would have done.
Whatever you did, it appears that you took a lot of time to think about it and you made a decision based on what "you" thought was best. That IMO is all that can be asked of anyone.
Some will say to follow the law regardless and iothers will say do the ethical thing regardless of what the law says.
I know what I would have done.
Whatever you did, it appears that you took a lot of time to think about it and you made a decision based on what "you" thought was best. That IMO is all that can be asked of anyone.
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
RE: Question about being legal or ethical
Depends on if there are open/severe wounds on the doe. I have a doe that stays in our backyard area and has been there for at least 5 years that has a severe limp in her front shoulder. She has two fawns every year and other than the limp she does fine. I probably would pass on shooting the doe and let mother nature take its course.