It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe.  We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods.

Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me.  I had both my buck and doe tag still in my pocket. I assumed that the small buck had been hit while crossing the nearby road. Perhaps while chasing a doe.

It’s not the buck I wanted nor one I would have shot under normal circumstances.  But I used my tag.

I met up with Dad and we walked to where the buck lay. His right front leg was swollen at the knee. He hadn’t been hit. He had been shot. I studied the wound. Muscle and bone had been destroyed. What was worse is that his left leg had a bullet hole just below the joint that showed shades of green and pus. I couldn’t see where the bullet had exited the left leg.

The buck’s right leg that he could no longer use

This buck had been shot in both of his front legs. He had to have been standing broadside to get the bullet to pass through his right leg where it did and enter his left.  Whomever shot this deer, took a horrible shot. One they should not have taken.  The buck was a small 6 point that dressed at 126lbs.  He would have been a great buck next fall but instead, he will feed my family.

The buck’s left leg where the bullet entered. Pus can be seen in the wound.

As a hunter, I understand buck fever and the heart-racing adrenaline that rushes through you as you see a deer and prepare to take a shot. But, if you can’t steady your rifle when that adrenaline kicks in, you shouldn’t be taking that shot. Sight in your gun and practice. Know your limits on distance and know your angles if you’re hunting from a tree stand.

The butcher guessed that the deer had been shot weeks before.  Probably on opening day when the woods around me sounded like a firing squad. I listened to many distinct rifle shots ring out, Pa-pow. Pa-pow. Pa-pow. Pa-pow.  I always question why anyone would need more than two shots if they are sighted in on the deer.  This answered my question.

We need to be better. It’s unacceptable to shoot at a deer. We must shoot THE deer.  If we can not make a clean, ethical kill shot then we shouldn’t squeeze the trigger (or release the arrow.)  We owe it to the animals we are hunting. We owe it to other hunters to be the best stewards of the land and animals that we can be.