Bow hunting on public

I posted in the deer hunting section, but I didn't get many responses. My first year to bow hunt, knowing deer can run after being struck should I be worried someone else shooting at my deer or claiming it? I rifle hunt on public never see a single person, but I'm trying a new spot for bow hunting no idea how crowded it will be. Any thoughts... Or has anyone experience this before?

Never heard of it happening but anything is possible.

I wouldn't sweat it too much.

If I saw a obviously fatal arrowed deer stager buy I would just watch and point the hunter the way it went.

Hmmmm now Im questioning this.

What if it was just a wounded deer? Say shot in the hip or gut shot. My first instinct is to finish it off and wait for the hunter. Id hate to waste a tag like that.

Brings up another question. Who be legally responsible to tag if one wounded and another finished it off?

Now Im overthinking this.

Just put em down quick and hope your scenario doesn't happen.

Id shoot him and flip you for it....

This should be your last concern for public land. I would not worry about it. Good luck.

On the Caddo grasslands I came up on a guy who was searching for a deer he shot earlier in the morning (rifle) and offered to help. Blood trail ran out but it had been fairly staight up to that spot. Told the guy to stay put for my bearing and to not lose the blood trail. I ran ahead on that line looking for blood or deer. Just out of sight i came up on a hunter in a tree. Apologized and explained myself. Asked if he had seen a wounded or dead buck. Answer was no. Went back to the spot and the guy I was helping was gone. I was originally on my way back to the group camping area anyway so I headed that way. At camp the guy I had been helping was already there and had no good explanation other than mentioning it was the second deer in two days he had lost because he hunts with a camp nine. Note that this was on opening day so by his slip he had been poaching the day before season. Did not say why he left me looking for his deer. The second guy I had run into showed up just after me. Dragging a buck into camp with pats on the back from his buddys. Before I got to them he quickly put the deer in his truck bed with a topper and shut the tailgate. I asked if he found the man's deer. He said no. I said we were not far from each other and I never heard a shot. He said he shot it just after we parted. I told him I knew what he did and left. I felt no good could come from putting these two dishonest men into a confrontation, so I let it be.

So yes it happens. But I personally would not worry about it. That was one story. I could tell dozens more of strangers I encountered going above and beyond helping others find or retrieve lost game on public land.

never had any problems. like pappy always say's: i may be a lowsey shot, but I do it with style . best wishes

I hunt public land all the time and have never had the problem you describe. In fact, I have had total strangers help me get deer out and back to the truck. Good luck hunting and don't worry about it. Just enjoy the hunt.

Only thing I can say...is be careful if the deer crosses boundaries....your legally going to have to get permission to egress onto posted property.(You don't want to risk Felony) As for others stealing your game...never heard such story either in these parts.I guess been lucky enough to be in area that had some folks using some sorta ethics.

had couple big hogs way back yonder in de woods at dark thirty twas solo hunt. couple guys helped out, twas 4 hour ordeal.