ruttinbuc Posted October 4, 2008 Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 Tonight I had a three legged do with a pair of fawns come through my hunting area. She was missing her left front leg from the knee down. It was all healed over. There was no shot opportunity, but it made me ask myself a question. Would I shoot her to take her out of her dilemma or would I let her hobble out the rest of her days and let mother nature run her course? What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 this would be a tuff one for me. if it's healed over i would probably let her walk since she has those 2 fawns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 Choice is yours and either outcome would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardwood_HD Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 i would shoot her if i had a shot.. fawns are old enough now to take care of themselves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 i would shoot her if i had a shot.. fawns are old enough now to take care of themselves Agreed...Same here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnhardts12000 Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild_willie Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 Three years ago I took a eight point (during gun season) when I got to him I found that his right front leg was missing and healed over just fine. I never knew it, he was going through the woods normally. I would'nt take her because of the leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 I'd shoot her. Only because I like tenderloin, not because she was missing a hoof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 the missing leg wouldn't bother me I would shoot her and her two yearlings if they gave me the chance Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whttlbucksteve Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 It would be doe down for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wtlfrk Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 I'm all about antlers, so she would have got a free pass from me. Now, if she would have been diseased and unable to get around, then yes, I would have done her the favor. I've seen deer with three legs, running like there was no tomorrow. In fact, one time, I had a three legged deer under my stand and it took a full ten minutes before I realized it was missing a leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted October 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 I shot a 3 legged button buck one time. The little guy was being chased by dogs. After just missing the lead dog with a Thunderhead the deer was bawling and bleating like you wouldn't believe. His leg was hanging on by the skin and looked all bloody from where I sat. I put the deer out of his misery and then sat there and cried! When I got to the deer I saw that the "bloody" leg was just redness jn the area where it was hanging on. It was almost healed over..... When I dressed him there was the smell of gangrene that made me puke. Gave him a shallow burial and left him for the critters.....I named him the Little Buck that Could. He certainly was able to stay ahead of those dogs.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYTnMUZZYboy Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 I strongly agree with shooting the doe. Like others have said the fawns are old enough now. I think as hunters we owe it to our game to harvest animals such as the doe you are talking about. If a deer walks within shooting range reguardless if it has antlers or not and is in this condition, It shouldn't be just about antlers... If your only out there to harvest a set of antlers.... it might be time to find another hobby. Sorry to kinda get off topic but it really burns me when people are only about antlers. Yea there great to have hanging on the wall, but your only hurting your deer herd by letting does walk and only shooting somethin that has antlers. Let us know ruttinbuc if you see her again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY_Bowhunter14 Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 if it looked liked she was suffering at all, i would shoot her, other than that let her live, unless you want to fill a doe tag... but i wouldn't shoot her just because of a missing leg... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 3-legged doe I am thinking that I would let her go. Not because I felt sorry for her, but I wouldn't want to run the risk of shooting a deer and wasting a tag that could potentially be bad meat. Not knowing the cause of the missing leg before the shot or its affect on the rest of the deer, I would have to say for selfish reasons ($150 tag), I would probably let her walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007hunter Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Probably wouldn't shoot her to put her "out of her misery". She has two fawns and has made it this far, so she can't be doing too bad. Now if I was out for some meat she'd be fair game... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorden Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 If you want to shoot her to fill your tag go right ahead but I would not shoot her to put her out of her misery because I think she will be just fine...we have a doe around where I live that got her leg shot off at the shoulder and weve seen her every year for the last 5-6 years and she has two fawns every year as well...so I think she will be ok if you dont shoot her too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98chevy Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 It amazes me what deer can heal up. I would shoot her if you want meet or fill a tag. I would not shoot her cuss she has 3 legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 to fill my county doe tag, i would shoot her also if she gave me the shot. but im looking for a doe thats blind in one eye so that she wont see me draw on her. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambo Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Shoot her for venison if you want. The leg has nothing to do with it. Mother nature has taken care of this for a long time. The coyotes have to eat too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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