Another ethics question........
 

A few years ago, there was a deer hit and laying on the white line on the right side of the road.

It was laying there, almost naturally, with its head up, and looking around with a terrified look in its eyes. It obviously had its back broken, and could not move.

As I have a Concealed Carry Permit, I am almost never without a pistol or revolver, and could easily have dispatched the animal, however it was in a developed area, within the safety zone of probably 8 houses, so I passed it up, and left it suffer, and also probably upset many people and children who drove by.

In addition to being in the safety zones, it was also out of season. I went to work, called the Game Commission, who said they would take care of it. I learned from neighbors that finally about 4 to 5 hours later they finally came and dispatched the animal, and hauled it away.

I later spoke with the Deputy, who I know personally, about it, and asked him what he would have done, had I administered the coup-de-grace. He said probably nothing, unless..........someone would have seen me, and filed a complaint, or had there been a ricochet that would have hit someone, or something.

Well, with the bank along the road, that would have been no problem for me....... Was I right to leave this animal suffer for 5 hours, and antoganize the animal lovers that passed by?



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RE: Another ethics question........
 

In a populated area I would be afraid to shoot the animal. Sure you probably could have controlled the shot, but in an area like that you just are not sure. You called the Game Commission, it is not your fault that they did not do their job in a timely manner!

RE: Another ethics question........
 

It was probably the best choice not to fire in that setting. You probably would have been better off calling the local police or sheriff. They usually are more mobile and have someone close by. We found a wounded deer a few years ago by the side of the road, and called the County Sheriff. He came out and shot the animal, then called and had it donated to the food pantry.

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RE: Another ethics question........
 

as I say this is an individual moral choice and you did what you thought was right. As for me and only me I would have shot it and be damned with the consequences. 1 dollar would get you a hundred I would be aquitted in court if was prosecuted for anything.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

I have had the same problem two times.one time I also took my knife and dispatched the doe.second time my neighbor had allready call the sheriff dept.after about 30 min the deptuty arrived.he said shoot it,so I did and we butchered it,a 6pt.
In you case I would have done the same again,shoot it and went from there.
here in north central Fla. you will have no problem with the law.there are several every week hit by cars in our area.


I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

I can understand how you feel. This goes back to the big gray area surrounding the subject of being ethical or law abiding, as with the other post about a wounded deer. It's a tough call. 30 some years ago, the nieghborhood dog that all of us as kids played with when we were little, was run over by some teenagers in the middle of the street. The dog was disemboweled from the impact, but, still alive. My father, with quick thinking, took it upon himself to put the dog down. This happened in the early evening of the summer, when there were many kids and adults outside to witness this. Thus to say after a few harsh words and kids crying, my father felt that he might have been in the wrong at the time. Did he do the right thing by ending an animals suffering? I think so. Is what he did legal? No, not in the city limits. He did end up talking to the police about this, and the police agreed the same--ethical yes, legal no, and was given a warning and told to be more careful about this in the future. Remember, this was better than 30 years ago. In todays world, sad as it may seem, I think you did the right thing by contacting the authorities in stead of taking care of it yourself. You never know who is watching. It was not your fault that the authorities (game commision)took too long to act. I would like to know if your friend the deputy would have done the job quicker or at all. This way I might have a better idea on who to call if this situation arises in the future.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

It is tough here in PA since it is illegal to dispatch a road kill. I have done it, though. Early morning going fishing with no one around. Your situation was difficult. If a no one was around, just close houses-BAM. If there was too many people though, then it was probably asking for trouble.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

You did the only thing you could have done in that situation. The chance of something going astray in a populated area is too great. They should have been there sooner then 4 to 5 hours. You did your part!!

RE: Another ethics question........
 

Cant put people in danger over a animal, When I was younger I might of used a knife.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

Tire iron or a baseball bat would have done that the job.I've had to do it.

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RE: Another ethics question........
 

I think you did the right thing considering it was a populated area. If it were out in the country and no one was around I would have went for it. I know it sucks to see an animal suffer, but sometimes you have to think about what's best for you and your family. With that many people around, I am sure some tree hugging bunny lovin' mom would have threw a fit. Then you would have been screwed. Like the officer said, he may not have had a problem with it, but if someone complains or wants to press charges he does not have a choice. That is his job. Among the various things they could site you with, like edangering the public, and illegally discharging a fire arm. You would have most likely lost you concealed carry permit, and possibly had to forfit your weapon. Not worth the risk in my opinion. It sucks that the world has come to this, but it has. So I guess we just have to learn to deal with and move on.

Paul

RE: Another ethics question........
 

Hi again,

Hmm, had I been there, and had my weapon, I would have had to think hard on it. Probably I would not have shot it, not because I think it the right thing to do. I believe it should have been put down right then, but I fear the consequences too much in my old age ( ok so I am not old ) and even if I was sure I could shoot it safely, I would not for fear of being reported. However, I usually ahve a knife with me, and in that situation I would definately have cut the poor critters throat, thus ending its suffering almost as fast as a bullet. It seems too bad that we have to fear the law so much that we dont do the right thing, but as I believe another post indicated in this day, we do.
Just my uneducated opinion

RE: Another ethics question........
 

I would have hit it with the car.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

You made the right choice by not doing the deed considering the surroundings.Phoning the police would have had the animal dispatched quicker.(I've probably put down more deer with my service firearm than most have hunting).It&quot;s funny how slow conservation officers can be sometimes.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

You did the correct thing.
Don't lose any sleep over it.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

Many of you mention that phoning the police, or sherif would have been quicker. Yes, probably in your area, it would have been, but not here in this area of PA. There are no local police in the township where I live, and at that early hour in the morning, there was only one State Police crusier for the whole county! We do now have a bit more coverage by the state police, however they avoid the &quot;game issue&quot;.

In Pa the sheriff, would not have been an option either, as here they are mostly figuerheads! They do court work, and prisioner transport, and very little else. Its only in the last year that they are permitted to do traffic stops, and they must have special training to do that!

RE: Another ethics question........
 

Always carry a sharp knife.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

I understand the comments about using a knife, but a deer with a spinal injury usually still has use of it's front legs. I have had the displeasure of cutting the throats of 2 injured deer, and they both started kicking like crazy. Hooves are darn sharp, and a deer is very strong. Just a thought if anyone gets in that situation, be careful.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

I too have been wondering about the comments about the &quot;sharp knife&quot;. I have heard of hunters being very seriously injured by &quot;flying hooves&quot;, and as stated above a broken back often leaves the front legs totally mobile, except in this case I do not believe they were, because she would have dragged herself away, but then again as it was pavement, could she get enough 'traction' to pull her self away.

I have always taught the ones I helped learn about deer hunting, to make positively sure the animal was dead before approaching.

RE: Another ethics question........
 

pistoltrainer you should not beat yourself up over this, you did the right thing for this day and age, if I had a tire iron, which I always have in the bed of the truck I would have put the deer down, one good whack at the base of the skull and it is over quickly. Doing that is a hard thing to do though, I know some hunters that couldn't do the tire iron deal, to personal. I would not do the knife unless I was sure the deer could not kick, deer hooves cut like a knife. You did the best you could.

The Tazman

RE: Another ethics question........
 

I keep a the phone numbers of a few game wardens with me all the time. If the situation arose I was unsure about I would call one of them on my cell phone for advice.