same thing I done last year, use the tag

If I only had one tag, I would let the buck pass & let nature take care of it. If I had multiple buck tags I would take that buck because even wounded bucks have some good meat. After season is over & the neighbors see that poor buck limping through their field maybe they will get the big picture.

Nature happens 24-7-365, whether we happen to be around to witness it or not. Choosing to "mercy kill" a particular animal is strictly a feel-good move. The cold reality is that in the grand scheme of the food chain, it's a meaningless gesture. So we needn't feel obligated to intercede, merely because by sheer luck we happen to find ourselves near a deer with an injury. We tend to overestimate our importance in such matters. A deer is not a human.

BTW, that particular buck appeared to have a foot wound, which is a common event in nature. He was feeding and moving along just fine IMO. Deer are tough as nails, and normally fully recover from any kind of leg injury. But whether he dies today or not, it's an absolute certainty that his carcass will be utilized when he does.

No matter what you'd choose to do, it's useful to keep in mind there are 1000's of other injured or sick deer walking around that you can't do a thing about. When we fret and worry over the "pain" or "feelings" of one single animal, we are slipping into the realm of anthropomorphism. Kind of like the thought process of anti-hunting granola munchers who would dearly love to turn us all into vegans!

It all leads to a interesting discussion of whether a person would consider themselves an animal welfare supporter, an animal rights supporter or someone who is neither. Animals that are suffering with an expectation of dying, I'd put down.

+1....well said!!! Thanks

agree 100%

some sleep better doing the "right" thing.

Theres thousands of people mugged every day, if I see it I will stop it.

If I see a dog hit on the road thrashing about and mangled, I will end his misery too.


for those that say dont waste your tag....would you if it was a 180" buck? Of course you would. Its all about antlers now a days.

to each his own....its all venison in the freezer to me

Is it meaningless to the animal put out of it's misery?

I feel the buck in the video would have recovered from a foot wound as you mentioned. I have seen several deer getting around fine on 3 legs for many seasons, I had one 3 legged buck even came into rattling antlers looking for a fight once.

Some others I have encountered in much worse condition whose demise was imminent. I did what I feel to be the right thing and ended their suffering.

I had a buck on my farm for 3 years straight with 3 legs. The first year he was 130" or so with his leg flopping behind him as he ran. The next year he was bigger and I even saw him top a doe, but the last year he wasn't in good shape and I ended it in late muzzleloader. Where I hunt used to be high pressure and seeing wounded deer was common. I think its entirely up to the hunter, but cleaning up other peoples mess gets very old. Yes nature is cruel but there are no bullets in nature, we provide those. I will end any animals suffering if it appears to be dying.