Not what you were expecting, and not what I was looking for. Oh well, it happens to the best of us, and while they are old, it just makes you sick to see it happen to three young deer. I must confess, I would rather walk up on a dead spike or 4pt.then ahuge Booner.

Do you think gutshot or disease?

I dont see that many dead since they quit runnin dogs around here, some of those idiots were not what I would call "selective" aboutshot placement.

We've been fortunate in and around area when it comes to disease, none that I know of really. I would almost bet my life that it was shot placement. Our neighbors like to shoot at whatever they please and thats alll fine and dandy, but they dont always make the most ethical shot. Its like I said before, it will happen or has happened to all of us so we cant get upset. It just turns your stomach in knots when your lookin' for those antlers NOT attached to their heads.

that sucks that they died

While unfortunate, let's remember that something benefitted on the forestfloor. Be they predators, scavengers or microfauna, right up to the end it was all consumed. We are assuming slob hunters, but we may be a little too hard on hunters.
Not everyone out there is a seasoned hunter, many people get buck fever, be it does or bucks.

Additionally, are there any diseases or over crowding of deer in your area? Without knowing the actual cause of death, its not fair to assume someone is responsible. Is there a road crossing in the area? Maybe they were wounded by auto encounters and crawled off and died. And maybe there are some slobs in your neck of the woods, that need some educating, or a helping hand in learning the finer points of shot placement, choosing the right deer, quality management etc.

Good Post says it all. You might want to take those heads over to your neighbors to see if they want to mount them. Maybe it will sink in!

TF

It happens. Survival of the fittest. Nature is rough.