Texas Hunting Forum

Wounded deer question

Posted By: Hobgood12

Wounded deer question - 11/08/18 08:50 PM

I have had a younger 9 point on camera off and on for the last few months. I have seen him in person several times and elected not to shoot and give him several more years. 16 days ago I have a strong suspicion that my cross the fence neighbor shot him. Kind of upset me because of what my plan was for him. Fast forward to yesterday and today.......I shot a nice 9 point yesterday and made the recovery. I went back this morning to retrieve my arrow from last night and pulled my card while I was there. The young deer has re-appeared on camera the last few days and I seen him while I was there today. The wound is a high shoulder hit. I was within 30 yards of him laying down while in my truck. He did get up. Did not move like most do when you come up on them. He got up slowly, has a slight limp, and was coughing after a few steps. Never was in a hurry to get out there!!

Looking for opinions. Will y’all experience say he lives or dies of infection? We have very little hunting pressure where i am. The soft spot in my heart says I should put my wife on him and make it quick. He is young but he does meet antler restriction. I can forward the pic of him to someone if yall want to see the shot location.

Thanks fellas!
Posted By: Pitchfork Predator

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/08/18 09:05 PM

Let him be for now. They are very tough and can recover if they don’t get too weak and the coyotes will have them.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/08/18 09:13 PM

Guess I would let him go as well. I don't like to see them suffer either though.

We had a really nice young 9pt that got wounded several years ago. We didn't think he would make it but decided if we shot him he surely wouldn't. He hold up at one of our corn/protein feeders for months I think he barely left lol. He survived and turned into a really nice 10 point.
Posted By: Hobgood12

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/08/18 09:14 PM

After I made the post I was looking back on some photos dating back to the beginning of October and noticed that he does appear to be losing weight.
Posted By: Hobgood12

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/08/18 09:15 PM

I was wondering if he has been staying close by because of the feed.

Originally Posted by redchevy
Guess I would let him go as well. I don't like to see them suffer either though.

We had a really nice young 9pt that got wounded several years ago. We didn't think he would make it but decided if we shot him he surely wouldn't. He hold up at one of our corn/protein feeders for months I think he barely left lol. He survived and turned into a really nice 10 point.
Posted By: Nathan at Fork

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/09/18 02:42 AM

have a strong suspicion that my cross the fence neighbor shot him. Kind of upset me because of what my plan was for him.

lol. Sorry, I always find these comments funny. I wonder if he is upset with you because he had plans for the 9 pt you shot, lol.
Posted By: snake oil

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/09/18 12:39 PM

I'd let the wife shoot him or otherwise the coyotes will drag him down...
Posted By: BassBuster1

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/09/18 02:54 PM

Let an animal suffer through a wound in hopes that his antlers might get bigger in the future? I could not do that but that is just me.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/09/18 03:06 PM

I wouldn't let my dog suffer. This is a wild deer not a pet or livestock. I guess when people are injured and hurt we ought to just shoot them to save em the misery.
Posted By: unclebubba

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/09/18 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by redchevy
I wouldn't let my dog suffer. This is a wild deer not a pet or livestock. I guess when people are injured and hurt we ought to just shoot them to save em the misery.

That escalated quickly!
Posted By: Mr. T.

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/09/18 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by unclebubba
Originally Posted by redchevy
I wouldn't let my dog suffer. This is a wild deer not a pet or livestock. I guess when people are injured and hurt we ought to just shoot them to save em the misery.

That escalated quickly!

Yep popcorn
Posted By: Grizz

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/10/18 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by redchevy
I wouldn't let my dog suffer. This is a wild deer not a pet or livestock. I guess when people are injured and hurt we ought to just shoot them to save em the misery.


Not a great analogy. When people are injured they have the ability to get medical help (your dog too for that matter). Medical help for a wild animal is euthanasia.

As far as the OP, it's hard to say without seeing the deer and the injury. I've seen quite a few deer with injuries that appeared to be pretty serious pull through. I've also seen the other end of the scale. If he continues to have problems getting around and is losing a substantial amount of weight, I would put him down.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Wounded deer question - 11/10/18 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Grizz
Originally Posted by redchevy
I wouldn't let my dog suffer. This is a wild deer not a pet or livestock. I guess when people are injured and hurt we ought to just shoot them to save em the misery.


Not a great analogy. When people are injured they have the ability to get medical help (your dog too for that matter). Medical help for a wild animal is euthanasia.

As far as the OP, it's hard to say without seeing the deer and the injury. I've seen quite a few deer with injuries that appeared to be pretty serious pull through. I've also seen the other end of the scale. If he continues to have problems getting around and is losing a substantial amount of weight, I would put him down.

A deers doctor is time to heal. Many survive serious injuries to come back and live a happy deer life with nothing more to show than a limp scar or goofy antler. If I was that 9 I’d want the chance to chase a hot doe next year, I say give him that chance.
If he is coming to food I think he has a fighting chance.
© 2024 Texas Hunting Forum