This doe came hobbling in on my set a couple weeks ago. Right front leg completely useless showing obvious signs of trauma. I had no intentions of killing anything on that particular day, however within two minutes of seeing her I popped her. IMO no way she would survive the winter, whether via yotes or starvation, she was doomed.

After a little CSI analysis, it looks as though she was the victim of poor shot placement. I believe she was head down, feeding, with her right side facing the shooter, slightly quartering away.



Entry hole - right front leg





Exit hole - right front leg



After exiting the right front leg, the bullet re-entered the doe just to the right of her sternum, passing through her neck at increasing depth, yet failing to get deep enough to impat the trachea





One of our hunters shot at a doe out of the same blind approximately two weeks prior. He said she jumped in the air and took off, however he found no deer and no blood so assumed he missed completely.

It appears not only was it poor shot placement but a shot taken at a poor angle.

You did the right thing. Sad.

Not judging, though. Anybody that hasn't botched a shot at one time or another is either a liar or hasn't shot very much game. Or is God's Gift to the shooting world...and I'm sorry but I'd have to see them perform in the real world to believe it.

Glad you gave her the easy way out.

Mark

She still managed to live two weeks like that. Tough animals.

Good job

You made the right call, this happens all the time.

I know im always the odd man out on it. She isnt skin an bones from the photo. Wild animals are tuff, i bet she would have made it. If they are coming to food in water i usually let nature sort it out. Hope she was good eating.

Good job. She needed a nap.

Put down a few similar animals over the years.

Never did get a hankering to eat one, though.

That would with the puss is kind of nasty. You planning to eat her? I'd be afraid infection has set in & affected the meat.

Good job KDKane, she looks smaller and on the younger side too.

she's tough.

The wound did not smell bad at all, however she had some fat with a weird yellow tint to it. For the amount of meat on her, the risk wasn't worth the cost of processing. She wasbrought to a processor who planned to evaluate her and donate her if the meat was found to be ok.

She may have survived the physical wounds however we are covered up with yotes, not to mention our area has failed to meet average rainfall the last two years so starvation is a very real concern especially after January when there are no hunters.

tough critters. You did her a favor.

I had a spike walk out on three legs about ten days ago. Same scenario. Family member thought they had missed, didn't find blood or hair however did put a 130 gr 270 through the right front leg cleanly about three weeks ago. Way to far a shot for that particular persons ability (I find out later) anyway mystery solved - no poaching and yes these deer sure are tough...

So someone shot for the shoulder and shot a little low. You hunt enough, it happens. Nature's a cruel beech, and we're part of her. "Pride goeth..."

Feel sorry for the ole girl

I found which of our hunters missed the shot. He said he was going for a neck shot.

Not to engage in a big debate, but not a fan of the neck shot. There's a huge kill zone in that high shoulder to back shoulder area. I'm a good shot but always just play it safe.

It happens to the best of us but I 100% go for the kill shot and not a neck shot, way to many chances for error to occur.

same here

Yep. I don't mean to say I'm above making an error. Not at all.