A decision in the woods (graphic pics)

[JoeM]

Was forced to make a decision today that I'm not proud of but know it was the right thing to do. I shot my smallest deer ever today.  The day started off great with a lone doe coming through and then two nice shooter bucks I was able to video for awhile.  One buck behind my tree at 5yds but no shot, but real nice to see that I'm in the right area.Then some turkeys and a couple more does, while I was videoing the turkeys this poor soul limped onto the scene. A few years ago i passed a shot, actually froze up trying to figure out what was wrong, it was a doe with either a broken back or two broken back legs. As I watched that poor thing drag itself through the wood i swore I wouldn't let it happen again. Well that brings us back to today, this buck fawn was either attacked by dogs or hit by a car I'm not sure.  I quickly made the decision to disperse him, came to full draw and ended it at 29yds. I don't really have the right words to describe how I feel about this decision, but I do know I felt right. My actions (I feel) shortened his suffering and at the very least will give a few pounds of venison for my family.How do you guys handle these situations do you get involved or let nature be nature? Any chance this deer survives this?  Mods I hope these pics are OK and apologize if they are not.  Joe  [    

[Mohillbilly]

Well done!

[swp]

Nothing wrong with ending its suffering.

[bowhunterfrompast]

Well done  

[Gehrke145]

I did the same thing a few years back

[kiamichi kid]

Good decision, I would have done the same thing. He would have most likely been food for coyotes if you hadn't made him food for you.

[Shaun]

Looks like a car wreck victim, you did good. If there is general infection the meat may be off. Even so, good choice and well done sir.

[hormoan]

I have mercy killed probably a half dozen whitetail. All where salvageable but then I butcher my own.

You did the right thing, and can be proud of that.  

[longbowben]

Great job.I second the car wreck.

[Panzer II]

Yep, What they all said.

[bentpole]

well Done! You can share my campfire anytime! Great decision.

I  would have did the same thing.

[Leo L.]

Good job!

[John3]

No question the right thing to do...


JDS III

[MJB]

You did right !!

[Jim Picarelli]

ya done good,Joe!

[Fletcher]

IMO, Joe, you did good.  This guy was coyote bait for sure.  Several years ago I watched a young buck get hit while I was on my way to hunt.  Hit hard, it kinda ran as its back end went down and that was as far as it was going to go.  I pulled over, strung up my LB, went out and put one thru its lungs.  I put a tag on it and loaded it up  I later found out it was illegal, but the CPO let it go after he saw the trauma and my tag on its leg.

Below are a couple of pics of a doe fawn I shot last year with my .54 TC Renegade.  First pic shows a small 1/4" hole in the front of the now swollen foreleg.  The second pic shows the back side of the same leg.  She came in carrying the leg up high and I decided that would be the one I'd take, as the ML tag is for meat anyway.  There's no way to know for sure, but I suspect a .22LR.

[Weekend Warrior]

You did right Joe

[leewillis92]

You made the right decision.  Good meat in the freezer and one less deer to be suffering until it dies.  Good job! -Lee

[jacobsladder]

easy decision for me on that one..you did right!

[trapperDave]

you'll be able to sleep tonight knowin ya done right