Hunting Washington Forum

 

Agreed, but that wasnt the case in the scenario the OP posted. He did what was right!

Hey moderators - Why was the post removed from this topic that said Mike Lee is a Mormon?

https://www.lee.senate.gov/about-mike

Late archery, talked with a guy sitting in truck. Some dude had arrowed a 3point. I don't know where it was hit but front leg was not being used. Truck guy was not hunting, just watching the deal play out. About 30 yards past the truck I see the buck uphill at 40 yards, an easy shot for me, but decided to not interfere in another's hunt, (had that happen to me once and lost the deer)  At the moment, I felt like I would be a Dbag for doing so, especially with the truck guy watching me. 

Turns out I made the wrong decision to not interfere. A bit further up the road another hunter had talked to the shooter. Shooter had ZERO idea what direction the deer was headed, and I couldn't find shooter to tell him, so I went back and spent hours glassing for the injured buck (very open country) but never turned it up.
I'm positive that buck didn't survive his injury, and still to this day regret not shooting it when I had the chance.

Every 2nd shooter scenario has situations where ethics/morals come into question. I have adjusted mine after that day.

IMHO, the OP did the correct thing.

I'm glad you were there to put it out of its pain.  Although a survivable injury (deer are incredibly tough), that buck was in for suffering. 

You did the right thing, and it is absolutely your deer after you delivered an accurate and effective 'coup de grace'.  If the buck had been mortally wounded by the first shooter, and you saw where the buck had gone, to help the other hunter would have been the right action, in my opinion.