Well i love bowhunting more than anything but opening day for guns in Michigan was Monday so i left college and got out my muzzleloader. I was sitting and about 11am a small 7 point(that i would have never shot) came in with his back leg shot up, dangling, and bleeding. I did what I thought was the ethical thing and killed him so he wouldn't suffer for a few days. Now I have all Thanksgiving break to hunt next week and no buck tag...kinda sucks but I have more freezer meat so it is what it is
Good job. Its a double edge sword I know. I had the exact same thing happen about 5-6yrs ago on opening day of rifle. A shot came from a neighboring property BEFORE daylight - a good 10mins before I could see well enough to shoot even 10yds. Just after daylight, along comes a basket rack 8pt buck....shot just like you described. I was pissed, but went ahead and put him down. Not sure which of my neighbors did it, but I have an idea. I can understand that bad shots happen, but it was literally dark when this shot happened. No way he could see where he was aiming. Lucky for me, it wasn't my only buck tag....but I would have never shot that buck in a million years. Just didnt want to see him suffer.
The jack ass that most likely took an unethical shot thanks you, or i thank you for not letting the deer suffer, either way! You can always go film and find stuff for next year!
Shooting him is just as good as shooting a trophy deer in my book. The hunting community should thank you for doing that. Congrats on the buck and good eats.
Thanks guy. I dont feel so bad about my decision now. good luck to everybody now its getting later in the season
you did do the right thing BUT, i dont know if you can do it where u are. But, you can call your local game warden and tell him the situation and all he would make you do is bring him the meat and he would give it to someone in need and you wouldn't have to use your tag.
