question, what would you do

[wtnhunt]

Saw a little buck last weekend, shot some video of the deer and realized as he was making his way off my plot that he had an injury to his front left leg just above the knee. First thought maybe fighting but after looking closer looked more like a broadhead could have been a more likely cause. He was limping, but not horrible. Think the deer should be ok so long as he can keep ahead of the yotes and keep from getting infected. Dunno, seen the deer around quite a bit and might let my 13 year old take him given the opportunity, he is nearly to his ears.

Question is this, do you call or text the few neighboring landowners to let them know or just let it go? I am kind of curious to know who might have shot him. Flipside if it were me i would probably appreciate a call although there really is no telling for certain who may have shot the deer or if it even is from a broadhead.

[Tominator]

I think I would just let it go. I got home a little late on Wednesday and decided to hunt from the ground in a little patch of woods close to my house. I was clearing a shooting lane when I noticed a buck 50 yards from me. I slipped back in the woods and kept my eye out for him. I didn't see him for a good 10 minutes so I thought he slipped back in the corn. Turns out, he snuck into the woods and got to within 10 yards of me! I could see it wasn't a buck I wanted to shoot so I leaned back from the tree I was hiding behind and the deer about turned inside out. He jumped a little, then calmly walked away. As he walked, I noticed he had a limp on his left front leg. I don't know the extent of the injury, but I got to thinking maybe I should have shot him; seems like it's always a tough call when you see a wounded animal.

[dogdoc]

Now if I Saw a buck with a broken or dangling leg I would take it. Just bc a buck is limping *even with a small flesh wound* doesn't mean this buck is hurt enough to warrant shooting it. Especially if it is not a "hit list" buck or doesn't meet your goals or criteria. They are tough critters and a lot of younger bucks are getting the bell rung right now during the pre rut by larger bucks. So no I wouldn't shoot it just bc it is limping.

[wtnhunt]

Now if I Saw a buck with a broken or dangling leg I would take it. Just bc a buck is limping *even with a small flesh wound* doesn't mean this buck is hurt enough to warrant shooting it. Especially if it is not a "hit list" buck or doesn't meet your goals or criteria. They are tough critters and a lot of younger bucks are getting the bell rung right now during the pre rut by larger bucks. So no I wouldn't shoot it just bc it is limping.

Not really what i was asking Todd. Do you let the neighboring hunters know a deer that may be their wounded deer has what appears to be a non serious injury. Common courtesy?

Because my 13 year old has only killed a doe, would be ideal for us to see it while she is with me, I would let her take it. But for me, not something at this point that really tripped my trigger.

[dogdoc]

Gotcha. My bad. Yes, I would like to know if I shot a deer that wasn't recovered and the neighbor saw it very much alive.

[OKstate]

I would appreciate the call just for peace of mind if it were a deer that I had shot at....

[Ravin R10 man]

I guess if you know who shot it..I wouldn't go around asking everybody tho..

Had that very thing happen here..neighbor shot a nice buck, he had tracked it toward my land before losing blood... I went looking for it on my land, only mistake was, I never took my bow. Walked right up to 15 yards of him before he stood up, then he took off with the injury the guy said he had. I went right to him and let him know the buck was gonna be ok. He could not believe I found him.

I have taken deer that had broken legs etc. or severe limp..just the right thing to do.

Edited November 15, 2014 by Mathews XT Man