On my way home from hunting tonight empty handed as usual this year, I see a car strike a deer in the on coming lane. I stopped and backed up as the big doe was lying in the center of the road lifting it's head up unable to move. I dragged it by it's hind leg from the roadway knowing what I was going to have to do. I went back to my truck and retrieved my knife planting it in her heart. With my hand on her side feeling her last breath I told her I was sorry to have to do this. It just kills me, I can shot them and watch them die from the shot but I sure struggle with having to put one down like this. And to leave her on the side of the road doesn't help either. I called DOT and they said someone would pick her up in the next 48 hours. 2nd time in three years I had to do this. Anyone else feel this way about an animal we love to hunt?
I haven't had too yet but, I feel it is coming. It is hard enough seeing one laying on the side of the road knowing it died by a fatal blow from a car.
Why wouldn't they fill out a tag for you and let you take it home? I have done this a few times, all that happened was that the police were called to fill out an accident report. Upon arrival of the police they asked the driver if they wanted the deer. If the driver said no then they would offer it up to who ever wanted it.
I should of done this last week. Was late for work when the truck before me struck a fawn. I came through maybe a min after. The fawn was attempting to crawl out of the road. Unfortunately there was nothing I could do. Was late for work and didn't have anything in the car. Not even a tire iron. Guess I could of used the scissors jack...
As hard as it is to do you DID THE RIGHT THING!!! That doe was saved from being hit mutiple times and having a long agonizing death because of you. I feel that as bowhunters we strive to make clean kills and seeing the very animal we've come to love and respect wounded that way makes us feel that animal was wasted. Here in IL you can report road kill deer and take the deer with you. In a case like your's I'd try and harvest as much meat as possible from the legs and possibly front quarters.
I had to do the same thing last year. As I raised the knife a cop pulled up and asked if I needed help. I told him nah I got this, you got a tag for me. Then I dispatched the deer while he sat and watched me from his car. He told me that he just called it in and a tag was waiting for me at the substation which was 100 yards up the street. My biggest fear was someone with a cellphone was recording the whole thing and I'd be on the news plunging a "huge dagger into a defenseless deer". Thank God that didn't happen. Did I feel bad, no I did what had to be done to put the doe out of misery and fear. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Did the right thing. I would have asked for a tag if you wanted the deer. In Iowa they can give you a tag. At least it didn't suffer.
Good job rick. Been there before, like you said...its a totally different thing than hunting. Sucks, but its the right thing to do. On the flipside...I've also been able to save some deer as well. I've let at least a half dozen out of wire fences over the years...where they would have surely died a horrible death.
I havent had to kill one after being hit by a car, but Im sure its not pretty. I remember when I was about 15, I was hunting with a group of friends, one of which was a first-timer. He spine shot a doe, and our stands were about 100 yards away from each other. The doe was flailing and bawling, and so was he. I was the first one there, and I finished her with a knife. Didnt like doing that at all. I get a little emotional after shooting one as well. Its a bittersweet feeling for me, and I thank God/apologize to God for allowing to me to provide my family with food, even though a creature I have an immense respect for has to die in order to do so.
In IL it's technically illegal to kill a deer that's been hit by a car. Still, lots of people do it, and it's the 'right' thing to do. I finished off a big doe with the only weapon I had in the vehicle... a four way tire iron. Not the best tool but it did the job. I took her and ate her. But right after I clobbered her, I had to go into work.... with blood spatter on my nylons and skirt.
It is the right thing to do, and I guarantee the cop would side with you, sometimes you just gotta dive bomb em and cut the throat
It is funny you post this. I was just talking to a buddy about hitting deer and finishing them off. He hit one is southern Illinois the other day and had to finish her off. I hit a doe last year and she could not get up out of the ditch. I called the county Sheriffs Department and they said that I can not kill her because they have to prove I hit her with my truck. So I had to leave her the way she was due to only having a bent bumper on my truck. I am just thankful she slipped on the wet road or she would of took out my grill. There should be a law change on this I think. I hate it too.
Absolutely Rick, that's because you/we are hunters and compassionate, not killers. I know it doesn't make the task or feeling any better but kudos brother.
I was getting ready to say it sillegal in Illinois..........have heard stories ogf people getting aticket for it. Tire Iron huh? Guess you didnt have the mag light with you..:D
I have never had to do it, and hopefully I don't. But if I ever have to, I always have the .44 in my truck for a quick way to put it out of its misery.
I'd be leary about shooting it. In the liberal state of Md they would probably want to charge you with illegal discharge of a weapon or something. I could have taken the deer with a Law Enforcement tag but didn't want it, had no place to dress it and had road rash pretty bad.
