This evening I saw a spike that was dragging one of his front legs. He was clearly injured. I saw no signs of any kind of wound. I would not have even thought twice, but here in my state, there is a three point rule. He would not have been legal. In the end, I let him walk. but it was hard to pass a 15 yd shot on an injured deer.
Alot of people get into the heated discussion on this topic, and in my opinion we should just let nature take its toll. coyotes and other preditors have to eat too and the deer has a better chance of survival then if you would just shoot it. In the end it all comes down to what you want to do and how you feel about the it.
Honestly, if its legal, I aint shootin....unless its something I'm looking for. Mother Nature can be a real *****, but she knows what she's doing.
Jeff's right they are some tough animals I would pass on him, if he's injured too badly to defend himself...well the yotes have to eat too.
I agree with the others, let nature take its course. I'd hate for someone to shoot me if I hurt my knee and was limping.
I too agree with others, let it go, especially since it was not a legal deer. Deer and many other animals can withstand a broken (or missing ) leg and do fine. Heck, just ask Rob...:D
thats so funny you mention it...but i had to does come within about 45 yards last night...the one was limping, whether she was injured our not...i wanted to take her....just a little to far inside the woods...
pass-not a life threating injury. Had he been a legal deer it would have been lights out with tag in hand. Without the tag I would be neither judge nor jury-pass
I agree 100%. I've seen a bunch of 3 legged deer, and they get along just fine. My son took one 3yrs ago that was probably 4.5 - 5.5 and the lead doe of a group of 7. You would never have known she was 3 legged the way she came flying by. They are VERY resilient. The only deer I've "put down" have been injured bad. I put one down a few years ago had been blasted in the hind qtrs by a gun...it was a mess.
He should be fine with the way he was scarfing down acorns. He probally was sore from getting the crap knocked out of him by one of the big boys. I passed on him. But if he had been legal, he would be in my deep freeze.
I thin Deer and Bears (Rob :D) are tougher than most think. Im betting that it will probably survive. Robs three legged Doe was healed over! And the Bear he posted pics of looks healthy with three legs. And besides you mentioned it wasnt legal, nothing you could do anyway!
I would had to of passes as well, I understand your intentions, but it is still illegal and it is not work getting you self into trouble over it. I know the rules in my state say that if you shoot an illegal deer knowingly you are look at some pretty heavy fines because if they review the situation and see it was done purposely they are going to fine that person.
