Mercy kill or let it walk - short video added- a year later, 2021 still alive

[wtnhunt]

Had a little narrow 5pt come through this afternoon about 20 minutes before dark.  His left shoulder had something wrong with it.  His hoof was curled up.  He never touched that side to the ground, but he seemed to be feeding fine and fed heavy.  He was still feeding when I snuck down.

Unfortunately he never did turn well enough for me to get a look at that side.  He gave me probably 5 solid minutes of broadside on his right side.  I did get a glimpse head on through the binoculars and it looked like the shoulder was out of place.

Anyway, with a lot of coyotes around and the deer hobbling hard what would you do?

[fly]

William, I've heard stories of deer surviving with severe injuries. If I did not need the meat, and the deer was too young to determine if his genetics were good or bad, I would let him walk and hope he recovers. In states where it is legal I might throw some corn out where he lived to help him get through the winter.

[wtnhunt]

7 hours ago, fly said:

If I did not need the meat, and the deer was too young to determine if his genetics were good or bad, I would let him walk and hope he recovers.

Never hurts to have more backstraps, can always find takers for ground.  No idea what the cause for his shoulder injury, could have been a fight, or hit by car, or could have been shot.

Don't think he will ever amount to much, but could be kinda cool character with the beams almost touching.  If he can keep away from the yotes.  As he was yesterday, no doubt in my mind one could take him down.

Crummy cell phone pic, it was dim.

Not legal to use corn or any bait here, cwd high risk zone.  

 

[fly]

With that being the case I can see why you are struggling. I don't think there is a clear answer because there are good reasons for both. If I needed the meat I'd take him out.

[wtnhunt]

Well, got another beat up one around.  While walking this morning to check cams, walked up on one past his ears that I could tell was a decent buck from 70 or so yards away without any optics.  I chambered a round, and picked up the binos instead of the gun, because he was not in a good direction safe for me to shoot.  Our house was in the backdrop and while I am quite certain there was no way the bullet would ricochet, was just not worth risking it.  He was limping, not as hard as the little buck.  He stopped a few times once clear of the house where I could see him, vitals behind a tree each time.  He blew a few times, could tell he was not a young deer, he did not go far.   I detoured a bit on the way to get to the cams, left him in a spot where maybe he might not feel like I was pushing him.  Hopefully he comes out in daylight while I get to be in a stand.  

So I am now leaning towards thinking there is a bully around.  Wish I could be in a stand this afternoon.  

[fly]

Good luck hunting him.

[wtnhunt]

Thanks Frank.  On foot while walking have had 3 encounters now with a shooter, quite possibly  and probably likely all have been the same buck.  Given the location, guessing the one I saw today is the same one I saw in the bottom Saturday morning.  He wasn't limping Saturday though.  Have not seen a single decent buck from a stand this season.   

[wtnhunt]

Coyotes just after dark last night were very vocal just off our line in the bottom, not too far off from where I last saw the little buck.  

[Ravin R10 man]

with wolves around, Mercy Kill is what I would do. May as well make ;em work for it. goes or yores too lmo

 

[wtnhunt]

Oh well, cannot change it now, but probably should have shot him.  Have not seen him again, and had zero pics of the deer on cameras.  Mother nature is much more cruel than we are.   Seeing a lot of buzzards circling low today.  Saw just one little healthy buck over the weekend.  

[wtnhunt]

Well the little 5 is still alive and got a much better look at his shoulder this morning. He seems to be getting around a little better but has probably lost some weight.

Shot a video of him I will try to upload somewhere, but not sure where I can upload to?  My photobucket account is held hostage, won't pay their fees.  Don't have a yotube account anymore.  Suggestions anyone?

[wtnhunt]

Here is the short clip https://youtu.be/szjmlS7Hhfs .  Season closes tomorrow afternoon.  No guarantees I see him again.  After seeing the clip what do you think?

 

 

 

[Ravin R10 man]

he will prob. get by, providing he dont have any lead in him. up north,?  he's wolf bait.

[wtnhunt]

7 hours ago, Mathews XT Man said:

will prob. get by, providing he dont have any lead in him.

He looked scarred a little in a couple spots but there weren't any open wounds.  There were 5 does out ahead of him, they did not seem to think he was boyfriend material.  lol.  He did try to follow them though.

[Patrick.Long]

Unless I was just looking to kill a deer that day, I probably would of let him walk. He could of possibly gotten better, or been eaten by yotes. But that’s how it is, nature is cruel but it is what it is


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[wtnhunt]

A month later, and several trail cam pics of coyotes later, this little guy was still around on Jan 21st.  Had several pics of him on one camera, so looks like letting him go was probably a good call.

[LETMGROW]

On 1/30/2021 at 12:00 PM, wtnhunt said:

A month later, and several trail cam pics of coyotes later, this little guy was still around on Jan 21st.  Had several pics of him on one camera, so looks like letting him go was probably a good call.

More often than not we are better off not trying to fool Mother Nature. The little guy might grow into a slammer and spread some fine genetics. If he was dead there would never be that chance. You did well.

Lynn

[wtnhunt]

Shocked this buck is still very much alive, never would have thought he would still be around.  Tough dude a year later still making it on 3 working legs.  

[fly]

Awesome to know you made the right call.