Ethical scenario

[LDennis24]

I have personally been in this situation on more than one occasion with road hunters and private property. Twice we had to dispatch an animal because it was left to die and both times we salvaged the meat. The first time the warden took the entire animal and thanked us for not letting it go to waste. The second time he took the head and antlers and left us with the meat.  He appreciated the fact that we didn't just turn a blind eye and let it go to waste. Don't know why everyone thinks the wardens will instantly write a citation with out regards to the situation.

[Stein]

I don't think anyone assumed the warden would issue a citation, but it is certainly a possibility since a law would be broken if one shot an animal without a tag.  You can always hope, but there are areas I wouldn't dare do it and other wardens I would be much more inclined.  If you know the warden, have a good relationship and can document what happened that's one situation.  Wardens, like other people, vary and I know one or two that would write the tickets without hesitation.

[Bushcraft]

I have personally been in this situation on more than one occasion with road hunters and private property. Twice we had to dispatch an animal because it was left to die and both times we salvaged the meat. The first time the warden took the entire animal and thanked us for not letting it go to waste. The second time he took the head and antlers and left us with the meat.  He appreciated the fact that we didn't just turn a blind eye and let it go to waste. Don't know why everyone thinks the wardens will instantly write a citation with out regards to the situation.

I tend to agree. I've hunted in this state since '92 or '93 and have never seen a WDFW enforcement officer in the field, but in the few instances where I've interacted with them when reporting/discussing problematic issues they have all been great guys to worth with.  Sometimes you've just got to do the right thing and have faith in your fellow man.  Keep in mind that most enforcement types are accustomed to dealing with the extreme *censored* bag dregs of society. It's refreshing for them when they encounter solid, above-board, law-abiding citizens.

[KFhunter]

what bear 

[pianoman9701]

I don't think anyone assumed the warden would issue a citation, but it is certainly a possibility since a law would be broken if one shot an animal without a tag.  You can always hope, but there are areas I wouldn't dare do it and other wardens I would be much more inclined.  If you know the warden, have a good relationship and can document what happened that's one situation.  Wardens, like other people, vary and I know one or two that would write the tickets without hesitation.

Several have stated this viewpoint in this very thread and others.

[theleo]

I would have put it out of it's misery and gone about my day.

It's easy to come up with theories and judge others, but you weren't there for the shot or attempted recovery, so it's really best not to judge. You know of one camp in the area, you know an outfitter is through there, and you were ONLY 9 miles back. I know 9 miles in from a trail head seems like a lot when you're on foot, but that's just a day ride for guys like me that use mules and/or horses for hunting. No reason to think the camp you talked to had anyone lying about not shooting at the bear.

It's a sad thing to see wounded game and is a situation I have no problem with committing a game violation over.

[woodswalker]

Legal or not my conscience would dispatch and roll the dice with getting in trouble for doing the RIGHT thing

 

BTDT, worried until the carcass was bones that i would get nailed for doing the right thing...still did it.

[ridgefire]

I would have shot it walked away and felt fine with it.

[Bango skank]

I have personally been in this situation on more than one occasion with road hunters and private property. Twice we had to dispatch an animal because it was left to die and both times we salvaged the meat. The first time the warden took the entire animal and thanked us for not letting it go to waste. The second time he took the head and antlers and left us with the meat.  He appreciated the fact that we didn't just turn a blind eye and let it go to waste. Don't know why everyone thinks the wardens will instantly write a citation with out regards to the situation.

Its just indicative of the general poor relationship wdfw has with hunters.  Theresnot a lot of trust there.

[fireweed]

After reading the story my first thought was a wounded bear so close to trail junctions could be a safety issue if not dispatched.  Are you sure it didn't try to lunge toward you--in which case it was self-defense if you had to shoot it.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

It's kind of a moot point because I'd never go into the woods without bear and cougar tags.

And if it was out of season?

[Pegasus]

Put it down and walk away. No need to contact anyone. You will know in your heart that you did the right thing when you ended its suffering. Don't worry about wastage cuz Mother Nature never "wastes" anything. Sooner or later the critters will find it and have a picnic palooza and within a few days it will be gone.

[jackelope]

Personally speaking, if I were acting outside of or on edge of legal behavior to do something I considered ethical and necessary I would practice SSS.

^^^^^

If it was me, this thread wouldn’t exist.

Actually I always have a bear tag even if I’m not ever going bear hunting.