Hunter Ethics

[Guest paulst560]

I happend to be watching primetime bucks ten and had to turn it off. Got three hunts into the program. The very first and third hunt, the individuals let the deer lay overnight in hot conditions. There is no way the deer was any good after that. The third hunt was especially disturbing since it was a good shot, right behind the shoulder. The first hunt the hunter shot it to far back because the deer was still moving. I commend the realtree staff for not doing these sorts of things. I just found the whole thing upsetting and wanted to know how all of you feel about things like that. They clearly showed no respect for the animal and the food god intended it to provide. For me antlers are a bonus. I have gone through not recovering and animal and I took vacation from work to make every effort to find it. I was litterally sick over the whole deal. Thanks. I failed to mention that the hunters involved in the mentioned video did not show any concern about the deer being spoiled and were all smiles when they got those antlers in their hands.

Edited December 11, 2008 by paulst560
left out info

[layin on the smackdown]

Unfortuneatly, misplaced shots happen, and it will happen to everyone. When they do, sometimes you have to leave them sit in order to keep from pushing the animal, making it suffer longer, and possibly not finding it at all. When this happens in warm weather, there is really nothing you can do but cross your fingers and pray that it expires quickly. There should always be a concern for the condition of the meat, and if this is lacking, you probably shouldnt be out there in the first place.

In warm weather conditions with a far back shot, i would give it 4-5 hours and get on it. It could be plenty of time, or it might not be enough time, but in order to recover the animal and the meat, you really don't have much of a choice. Personally, i have never had this happen to me in a warm weather situation, so it would be a sticky judgement call.

[layin on the smackdown]

oh,by the way, Welcome to the Forums!

[Guest paulst560]

Thanks for the reply

I really appreciate that the realtree staff have repeadily shown that they care about the meat on the table. I can also commend the Drury organization. Many of there hunts the meat is donated to feed the hungry. I just feel that some companies have the idea that all people care about is seeing a big rack on a buck and nothing else is important. I like to think that by and large the people who purchase hunting videos feel like I do. I do miss seeing Willy and T Bone on the monster bucks videos. Through all of this I understand that things happen. In my case I have no clue how my bloodtrail stopped on the 10 point I shot. Especially since I had the double drips so I know the arrow punctured both sides of the deer. Some hunters I saw the next fall told me about the deer that sounded alot like mine they found about 600 yards from where I lost the trail. Thanks again for the input and will simply not purchase any more Primetime bucks videos.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

If you don't think the Realtree or Drury guys have ever let a deer lay in warm weather and lost the meat..think again. Yes, even on video, they may not TELL you about it, but trust me, it happens. Things like that happen, it's a risk you take when hunting when it is warm, but rather than push the deer, it'd be more respectful to the deer to let it lay and die rather than push it and cause it to continue to suffer. If you let something like this keep you from buying another primetime bucks video, you might as well throw away your whole collection.

Edited December 12, 2008 by Michiganbowhunter_SQ2

[Tim Andrus]

Paul

1st welcome to Realtree ( great forum)

A good example this year in Illinois shotgun season I shot a buck the first night with my TC Encore . After the cameraman and I finished the cut aways in the tree I got down to claim my buck. To my surprise he jumped and ran offering no shot. He went 40 or so yards and layed down. Not sure of the shot i opted to back out and return in the am. It was cold ( 19 degrees) when I came back after a sleepless night he went another 40 yards. If I would have continued after him that evening I would have pushed him on to next property where the land owner lets No one on. Long story short when in douldt back out . deer was fine for the table

[Guest paulst560]

Once again thanks.

I apprecitate the positive responses to my questions. As a new member of this site I am very impressed with the quick response time from the prostaff members. Thanks. I am curious how the blood trail I followed on my buck just stopped on my lost animal. Simple clotting? I orginally just found one drop in 10 yard increments, then two every 5 yards. Then nothing. Was using a 4 bladed muzzy. For the record, I shot a beautiful 8 point about 2 weeks later. What most would consider a management deer. It was my first truly mature whitetail. I used the same 4 bladed muzzy and Ray Charles could have followed the blood trail. He only went 20 yards.

Edited December 12, 2008 by paulst560

[Tim Andrus]

Paul

About your blood trail ..its just one of those things that unfortunately happens to us bow hunters. They are tough critters..

[Dakota]

Another thing, last year I lost a hefty spike while out rifle hunting. I shot him down in a wooded river bottom while he was chasing two does. The bruck acted like he hadn't even been hit or heard a gun shot. He just kept chasing the does! We searched all over for a blood trail but didn't find one or the buck for that matter. Then, in April my buddy is out checking for calves on the ranch and comes across the skeleton of a broken up 4x4 whitetail two river bends away from where he was shot! That buck was so fat, his body size made his rack look like a spike's at 150 yards away. This buck was an old deer, we aged him to be at least ten years old, which is amazing on this bit of land due to the number of big bucks harvested there each year (about 20 or so of at least 5x5 status either mule deer or whitetail), and topping 300lbs! This buck was a fighter, every point broken up, and had survived the hunting season while others hadn't and he had taken advantage of all the "single" does in the area. What a perfectly good buck and I was never able to find him, which still kills me to this day. Though I shot two mule deer does later on during the hunt, I now have the buck's skull and antlers hanging up in my garage to remind me to never give up on pursuing an animal that you might have shot.

Dakota

[Guest paulst560]

The story on my lost deer.

I was hunting in a valley and in order to be above eye level of anything that could have come from the top of the hill, had my climber about 40ft up this tree. Hit my bleet can about every 20 minutes. A young doe appeared on my left 80 yards out. Just moving through not getting any closer. The doe paused before leaving my sight and then the buck appeared. Once I saw the buck I hit the bleat again. The buck moved within 50 yards after hearing it and paused. I hit the can once more and moved to within 20 yards. A tree was blocking my full view so I used that as and opportunity to draw my bow. As soon as I had a clear view, I drilled him right behind the shoulder. I saw the arrows fletchings just sticking out about 3/4 of the way up his body. With the extreme angle, I thought that to be a perfect shot. The buck darted off and I marked the last place I saw him. No blood at the point of impact and did not pick up the weak bloodtrail until I got about 100 yards away from where I shot him. The rest is described previously. I felt horrible I did not find that beautiful animal.

[stevebeilgard]

welcome to the forums, paul. i did not see the shows in question, but i'll give each hunter the benefit of the doubt and assume they did what they considered the right thing and not the easy thing. they certainly did not want to lose the animal, and although i don't know for sure if believe they just did not want the animal wasted by trailing it too soon. if it were indeed just poor hunters making a show, it will be a short-lived one for sure.