Shot a small buck, haven't found him, how long will the meat be good???

[ctwiggs1]

That's a tough spot.  I've been there man - I feel for you.  A buddy of mine who hunts in Missouri once told me that it happens to the best of us.  Coming from a guy who kills 2 deer a year (bow) to put in the freezer for his family, that meant a lot to me.

[N7XW]

Thanks again for the support guys    Going to keep at it!

[JLS]

Not sure if I would recommend hanging the tag or not.  On one hand it makes sense.  You've shot your one deer. 

On the other hand, this is your first attempt to harvest with a bow.  It's usually recommended when your trying something new, you get right back up and try again if things go south.  If you let the memory fester, it can end up with you never try it again...

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

It is illegal to shoot more than one deer a year.  If you're pretty sure the deer died, then it's also the legal thing to do.  Shooting another one in the name of confidence and practice is not the ethical thing to do.  I don't know about you, but when I'm hunting ducks, pheasants, chukars, etc. any sailed cripples that aren't found get counted against the daily limit. 

[headshot5]

If I don’t find him, I don’t know if I’ll continue on this year for deer.

It might make you feel silly if you hang it up for the year and then after the season you see him walking around.  I've seen a few that have lived after taking an arrow.  Especially if you hit it a little high (above the lungs).  Good job on sticking with looking for it regardless.  Hope you find him.

[Kowsrule30]

If you haven't found it by now you probably won't.... Yotes will probably find him before you in that terrain.... Another search and I'd get back at it.....

[copasj]

It is illegal to shoot more than one deer a year.  If you're pretty sure the deer died, then it's also the legal thing to do.  Shooting another one in the name of confidence and practice is not the ethical thing to do.  I don't know about you, but when I'm hunting ducks, pheasants, chukars, etc. any sailed cripples that aren't found get counted against the daily limit.

Didn't know about the possible legal issue, thankfully I've never had to look into it.  Not saying I am perfect.  I only hunt big game now, and I'm just starting back at that.  So far I am 0/2, 0 shots in 2 years. 

Closest analogy for me would be swallowed hooks while fishing.  Even if you know it's going to die you have to waste it anyway.  Catch and release is catch and release. 

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[grundy53]

Not sure if I would recommend hanging the tag or not.  On one hand it makes sense.  You've shot your one deer. 

On the other hand, this is your first attempt to harvest with a bow.  It's usually recommended when your trying something new, you get right back up and try again if things go south.  If you let the memory fester, it can end up with you never try it again...

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

It is illegal to shoot more than one deer a year.  If you're pretty sure the deer died, then it's also the legal thing to do.  Shooting another one in the name of confidence and practice is not the ethical thing to do.  I don't know about you, but when I'm hunting ducks, pheasants, chukars, etc. any sailed cripples that aren't found get counted against the daily limit.

Wrong, it is illegal to HARVEST more then one deer a year. If you do not recover said deer you did not harvest it.

[grundy53]

It really sucks to lose animals but it happens. If a person makes a whole hearted effort to recover said animal and are unable too  I have no problem with them continuing to hunt. If you feel like you must notch your tag then so be it. I respect that, but don't tell someone else they need to.

[h20hunter]

Yep...what grundy said.

[6x6in6]

Not sure if I would recommend hanging the tag or not.  On one hand it makes sense.  You've shot your one deer. 

On the other hand, this is your first attempt to harvest with a bow.  It's usually recommended when your trying something new, you get right back up and try again if things go south.  If you let the memory fester, it can end up with you never try it again...

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

It is illegal to shoot more than one deer a year.  If you're pretty sure the deer died, then it's also the legal thing to do.  Shooting another one in the name of confidence and practice is not the ethical thing to do.  I don't know about you, but when I'm hunting ducks, pheasants, chukars, etc. any sailed cripples that aren't found get counted against the daily limit.

Wrong, it is illegal to HARVEST more then one deer a year. If you do not recover said deer you did not harvest it.

Ding!  We have a winner!!!!

[Elkslayer]

It really sucks to lose animals but it happens. If a person makes a whole hearted effort to recover said animal and are unable too  I have no problem with them continuing to hunt. If you feel like you must notch your tag then so be it. I respect that, but don't tell someone else they need to.

  You have made more of an effort to recover this deer than most people would that in itself speaks alot about your ethics. You also realize what your mistake most likely was and learned from it.

Now grab your bow, get back out there and put some meat on the table! 

[JLS]

Not sure if I would recommend hanging the tag or not.  On one hand it makes sense.  You've shot your one deer. 

On the other hand, this is your first attempt to harvest with a bow.  It's usually recommended when your trying something new, you get right back up and try again if things go south.  If you let the memory fester, it can end up with you never try it again...

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

It is illegal to shoot more than one deer a year.  If you're pretty sure the deer died, then it's also the legal thing to do.  Shooting another one in the name of confidence and practice is not the ethical thing to do.  I don't know about you, but when I'm hunting ducks, pheasants, chukars, etc. any sailed cripples that aren't found get counted against the daily limit.

Wrong, it is illegal to HARVEST more then one deer a year. If you do not recover said deer you did not harvest it.

Ding!  We have a winner!!!!

Directly from the WAC.

(4) "Bag limit" means the maximum number of game animals, game birds, or game fish which may be taken, caught, killed, or possessed by a person, as specified by rule of the commission for a particular period of time, or as to size, sex, or species.

Under seasons and limits it states a bag limit of one deer per year.  As I stated above, the hunter will have a pretty good idea of whether the animal died or not, and can make their decision to punch their tag or not accordingly.  I'm not saying anyone should or should not punch their tag.  I stated what my ethics tell me is the right thing to do.  Your mileage may vary.

[wall of wood camp]

You gave it on hell of an effort so it sounds don't be ashamed of that that is just part of the sport it happens its ftustrtating but don't let it get you down get back out there redeem yourself and harvest a good one. Good luck.

[MatthewHunter98]

it is nice to find him no more than  a day later. evan that is pushing it. but still worth keeping cause you dont want to tosse it. hope you find it, if not already have. 

[lagnar]

Keep looking, watch for crows, keep a nose into the wind, keep an eye open for bear, make sure you have a tag and a good clean shot.  Easier to pass an opportunity than waste one