Well unfortunately it wasn't how I would have wanted it. On my way to work today I passed some cars stopped along the road, I thought that they had an accident (foggy). As I passed I noticed that the people were looking at a deer in a drainage ditch. I turned around to see if I could help. No go, three broken legs plus internal injuries. Since I work for a gov't agency and wear a uniform they all assumed that I would take it to a rehabilitator. I'm working in an unfamiliar area this week anyway.

To shorten the story, I had to dispatch the deer with my knife after dragging from the road. Wanted to save meat, but not possible. I feel kinda bad because I killed the doe, but didn't use the meat. Anyone ever have similiar experience? I put this in WL Mgt because it was a harvest situation.

I 'd call it a mercy situation, not a harvest situation - but in the end its one less deer (good or bad) for the local herd. It amazes me to think that folks would think a deer wounded like that "should" be rehabilitaed. Even if it were possible - who would pay for it, and Why? Shows you how the general public has no idea of management practices by the State.

I've never hit one myself, but had a couple friends that had to dispatch acar hit deer, also I've known a couple police officers that have been called to shoot one (one in the village - and he shot 2x - that was surprising to me!!) Never a nice topic.

FH

The thing to do in that situation is to contact the state wildlife agency or at the least the highway patrol. They both handle removing road kills.

I have had to do it two times. both times were with the county shireff looking on.
they gave me the deer. both only had broken legs. most times when a car hits one,it gets broken legs on the same side.

one was a doe,the other a 6 pt. most people has no idea what to do when they hit a deer.

I had that 2 years ago.. My friend told me he saw a button buck in a field bedded down. So he got out of his car and walked towards it tried to hide in the grass instead of run..He was on his way to work and didnt have any of his stuff with him to dispatch the deer. Plus he was dressed in his suit coming from a meeting. I left the office and got to the field. I threw off the shirt and tie, took off my pants and shoes.. I had my rubber boots on and then found some mesh shorts in my truck. SO here i am in a t shirt, mesh shorts and rubber boots to my knees walking in this field toward this button buck. I got up on him and he tried to get away.. his hind quarters were dragging.. Went back to the truck and got the bow. Double lunged him and he was dead in a minute. Gutted him, took him to the butchers and donated the meat to the food bank. This was the 2nd day of archery deer season in PA. Then I had to get cleaned up and back to work.. I got back and had a spaltter of blood on my face.. one of the girls freaked when i told her what i did on my lunch hour!

You did the right thing. I would have done the same. Don't worry too much about it.

Yes I agree if you have the time and the place to take the meet then giving it for a local food bank is the best thing to do.Here when we drop off a deer to be donated to the local food bank we have to give the proccessor $35 to do the proccessing.I hunt land in which the owner hates the deer he grows apples peaches grapes black and blue berries as well as tomatoes he sells.He also grows all of his vegetables for the year.So he asked me to kill as many as I can leaglly and I usually take out 1 buck and 4 does for him each season.I donate the meet to local elderly people who are in need of the meet for there freezers.

10-4 Good Buddy!