If you shot and killed an elk thinking I'd tag it, well you got a lot of work ahead of you. Don't be filling any of my tags. I want to do it.
Cause and ownership... If you caused the dead, then you own it. Be man enough to take the lumps. That being said, if I were in this situation, and if I did take a follow up shot (I normally wouldn't), I would: 1) feel horrible for killing my friend's elk, and 2) accept any citation(s) a game warden would be willing to give me-gladly. I am not above the law nor am I immune to tough decisions. If I break the law than I hope I'm man enoungh to suffer the consequences. The simple answer.....NO.
Will, in another thread you and anyone else answering no are being called "VAIN". How do you feel about that?
They can call me whatever they want Rob. except "cutie pie". I am not going to take something away from another hunter illegally, period. With the proper tag in my pocket I may act differently (that stuff can be sort out after the fact the animal is found dead). What exactly is a lethal shoot (may cause death)? I've made several which I thought were lethal. And yet, I have nothing to show for those shots. IMO, it ain't over until the elk is down and out-no beating heart. If he's still up and breathing, wouldn't you say he's fair game-of course, providing there isn't anybody in obvious blood pursuit? I know for a fact these beasts are hardy animals and can take hits harder than most animals out there. That same animal may be killed by a rifle hunter a month later...who knows (broadheads are found inside deer/elk all the time-at much later dates when wounds are totally healed. How many of those were lethal?) It's funny, this scenario actually happened to me. I was hunting with a anterless elk tag in my pocket. A bull elk walked into the picture with an arrow sticking out of his neck. Luckily, I had cell coverage and called my local wildlife officer. He pretty much told me if I killed the elk, I would be breaking the law. Moreover, due to the size of the elk, I could be fine up to $25,000 and have my hunting priviledges suspended for life: THE SAMSON LAW The Samson law was passed by the Colorado legislature on April 22, 1998. Samson was a majestic bull elk that got its name from Estes Park locals who were accustom to seeing him around town. When people found out that the poacher who killed Samson was only fined a few hundred dollars, there was a public outcry to raise the penalties for illegally killing wildlife. The Samson law now adds mandatory surcharges for killing trophy game animals in addition to the normal fines for poaching. The added amounts range from $4,000 for a trophy sized antelope up to $25,000 for a bighorn sheep. Yeah, it was a tough decision ethically, but I'm happy I let the elk walk. He was killed by a Pa. hunter two days later (I helped him feild dress the brute-even went as far as loading it into his truck with him). The man could not have been happier. The "lethal" arrow simply added spice to the story when he returned home. I'm sure his story included the worthlessness of us highlanders.
No cape for the suffering animal for you then But you do get the common sense award. Laws, they seem to be more like suggestion these days
No, I would not shoot the Elk. Although I hate to see any animal suffer, bad shots do occasionally happen. I would hope that my buddy and I could recover the Elk.
A simple NO is my answer, i would help track that elk all over the mountainside for however long but i will not shot it for him. The kill is special to me, i wouldn't want anyone else to have any claim to MY animal. Where is the popcorn?
