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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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!

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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