turned in a poacher

[boonerboy]

I just like the part where he goes "shed hunting"  What a great time to go shed hunting. Man Joe, you are full of it! 

[bobcat]

I haven't read every post in this thread so I might be missing something, but I don't understand how the guy who shot at the elk a couple of times could get charged with anything. And therefore I don't get why so many on here are saying he should have been "turned in." Sure, if the elk truly was not a legal spike then anyone who shot at it was in violation of the law. But he didn't tag the elk! Somebody else did.

The game warden was not there to witness the elk being shot. Now whether that bull was illegal or not is questionable. If it had a second point that was barely visible then I really can't fault the "old guy" for taking the shot. It was basically just a spike anyway- it just had a "bump" that may or may not be classified as an "official" point anyway. If the game warden did not issue a ticket then I'd say the game warden did the right thing. It's ridiculous if they try to prosecute otherwise honest hunters on a simple technicality.

Oh, and as far as shooting at an elk somebody else already shot, or may have shot- I don't see what's so wrong with that? Of course every situation is different but I could see putting an elk down for someone if it looked like it was going to go a long ways. Why not put a finishing shot in it even if the first shot would have eventually been fatal? I would if a legal bull came by me. It might be different if the first shooter still had the bull in sight and was still shooting. But in general to shoot a bull that has already been shot, I just don't see anything wrong with that.

[boonerboy]

he said that he shot it knowing that it was a 2 point. He says that he thought maybe the guy had  a branched antler tag and was helping him out by finishing him. Pretty damn stupid if you ask me but maybe you missed that part of the story. At this point I think it is pretty clear that fishermanjoe is full of it.

[bobcat]

Well, yeah you can't be shooting at an elk that you don't know is legal for you to shoot, with the tag you have. I guess this all depends on what the real story is. I guess I won't comment further not knowing what REALLY happened.

[boonerboy]

very true. who knows what really happened.

[shedcrazy]

I still can't believe people think it's ok to shoot at someone elses animal. If it's your buddy and you ask for a backup then ok. But to just hear shots and say o ill help knock it down, I mean WTF??? Bullet holes equal lost meat, and thats what a spike hunt is all about. If you shoot and hit an animal and it keeps going its your job to track and finish it, not some stranger with a gun!!

[bobcat]

If a wounded elk comes by me with a non-lethal or what appears to be a non-lethal wound, I am definitely going to put a bullet into it. It's just the right thing to do. I'm surprised many of you say you wouldn't. Isn't one of the most important things in hunting a quick and humane kill?

[300UltraMagShooter]

Had a cow come by me with some guts hanging out.  She was not going to make it, but who knows how far she would have went.

I tried my best to put another arrow into her, but couldn't get it done.

A traditional archer came by tracking her a couple minutes later. 

Never did find out if he caught up to her.

[shedcrazy]

I get your point on this, but i'm mainly reffering to those who see the person shooting, obviously they have the animal. Then they decide to just start blasting away on it also. Thats what makes no sense to me. Sounds like what FishermanJoes partner did. Ive seen it up the colockum more than once, someone shooting, hitting the elk. Its stagering around and then people will start shooting at it also, some from their camp 300 to 500 yards away. Thats what pisses me off. I get the humane kill, but sometimes a larger animal can take some lead.

[jrebel]

Something doesn't smell right.......This whole story is fishy.   "My Buddy", My ex-hunting partner" etc.  Not to mention who and the hell goes shed hunting while elk hunting and ends up 20 yards away from people that have already said they did not want your help (over the radio". 

When something like this happens there are always three stories.  Your story...the old mans story and the "RIGHT" STORY (i.e. the truth). 

My hypothesis / Theory

YOU fishermanjoe shot this animal along with the old man (both of you thought it was a legal animal).  He was closer to the animal and probably got the better / kill shot(s).  You where shooting beyond your limits and did not know if you killed it or the old man (of course you thought your shots were the kill shots).   When you finally made it to the downed animal a conversation insued and you lost.  The old man tags the animal and you call the game warden because you now know it was a 2x2.   Both in the wrong.....you both made an honest mistake that broke the law.  You do even worse in my book and take no blame, turn in the other hunter and now want others to justify your decision that you know was morally and ethicaly bad.   

I will never know the true story, but you will always know.  If this is even close.....SHAME ON YOU. 

[shedcrazy]

Well put Jrebel!

[Geno]

Something doesn't smell right.......This whole story is fishy.   "My Buddy", My ex-hunting partner" etc.  Not to mention who and the hell goes shed hunting while elk hunting and ends up 20 yards away from people that have already said they did not want your help (over the radio". 

When something like this happens there are always three stories.  Your story...the old mans story and the "RIGHT" STORY (i.e. the truth). 

My hypothesis / Theory

YOU fishermanjoe shot this animal along with the old man (both of you thought it was a legal animal).  He was closer to the animal and probably got the better / kill shot(s).  You where shooting beyond your limits and did not know if you killed it or the old man (of course you thought your shots were the kill shots).   When you finally made it to the downed animal a conversation insued and you lost.  The old man tags the animal and you call the game warden because you now know it was a 2x2.   Both in the wrong.....you both made an honest mistake that broke the law.  You do even worse in my book and take no blame, turn in the other hunter and now want others to justify your decision that you know was morally and ethicaly bad.   

I will never know the true story, but you will always know.  If this is even close.....SHAME ON YOU. 

   +1

[krout81]

Shooting someone elses game I have never run into this problem Archery hunting.  I suposed if I saw a legal animal limping away that looked like it was gonna live I might wait several hours see if someone comes by.  If it looked dead on its feet I would backtrack the blood and see if I can find a hunter.  If it looked like it was gonna live and I didnt find anyone I might follow the blood again and see if I could get an arrow it in or better yet find the rest of the herd.  It would depend on how many days were left and where I was. 
I will say that when my little brother was first starting off there may have been a deer or 2 tagged by him that someone else shot.  But that was late season and we needed the meat.  Growing up the only meat we ate from the store was chicken, but most of them we raised.  I only got moocow steak when we went to a resturant.

[dscubame]

Enough already.  Opinions are like @#$holes everyone has one.  This thread is going in circles.

[jrebel]

Enough already.  Opinions are like @#$holes everyone has one.  This thread is going in circles.

I have to respectfully dissagree.  If no one had an opinion we would all be a bunch of vegitables.  I think it is healthy for people to have an share their opinions, as long as it is done respectfully.  I don't see where anyone has been disrespectful...well except for the person that wanted justification for his actions and did not explain in full what his actions where.