RE: mercy shooting
 

Yes, you did the right thing. Younger deer are more vulnerable as it is, so with a substantial wound, there's a chance that button buck wouldn't have made it through the winter, let alone reproduce one day. Sounds like you have your head on straight.

RE: mercy shooting
 

Yep. I was hunting with a friend last year whaen he had 5 does come by. Being the buck hunter he is, he just watched them. Then the last one came out and all her guts were hanging out of her. He decided to take her down.

RE: mercy shooting
 

I have done it as well being my love for the animals. Though I have also not done it for various reasons, here it is illegal to shoot an animal without the proper tag, it is also illegal to shootan animal and leave it or call after the fact. I was faced with a very tough desicion yesterday morning on a buck that had part of his intestine hanging out from either a puncture wound, errand shot or possible hooked on a fence. I was making my way to my spot when i came acroos the buck but he was on posted land so the only think I could do was relcutantly let him go. I know the landowner and his feeling towards hunters/hunting so that wasn't an option. Shooting him might have been the right thing thoughit would also be illegal so a ethical/moral/legal battle ensue. In the end I did what was right for me and made a call to the CO's about the wounded animal and location. Whether they actually try to find them is anybody's guess but in my mind it was the best possible solution to the situation I faced.

Nature is a toughegg and we must remember while we pay an important part we should not play God. If legal, tag will used, etc then take the shot, if not then I say let them walk.My ethical boundary speaking, doing the right thing means in all facets not just one, even when the heart is tugging you for love and respect to make a different call. Just my pennies worth!

RE: mercy shooting
 

Definitly did the right thing. As long as it's legal, put the poor thing out of it's misery. No sense getting tied up in a legal battle if it is not legal though, even if it would be ethical.