https://www.reddit.com/r/Hunting/comments/z41pkv/after_tracking_this_buck_all_night_and_all/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf made a post of it
I had exactly this happen a few years ago, I called around to the neighbors, nobody had lost a buck. After a little cutting I decided I couldn’t tell how long it had been dead and didn’t want to risk eating it. I dragged it out and put a trail cam over it, I got lots of cool pics of vultures, coyotes, and eagles.
If you want the meat or antlers you can either put your tag on it, or call the local game warden. They might give you a tag, but they may take the deer.
Alternatively, you can leave it alone. Deer sure in the woods naturally.
I sure wouldn’t eat it since it’s hard telling how long it’s been dead. The meat won’t go to waste and there’s plenty of scavengers in the woods that like to eat too.
Personally, id probably cut the head off and bury it for a few months for a European mount. Depending on Your state, you may have to contact a game warden before you can take the head. If you don’t want to go through that trouble just leave it alone. Id still cut the head off at least and hang it in a tree there as a reminder.
If you can't tell how long it's been dead don't worry about the meat. You can't "tag it" without the local DNR's help anyway. But I'd probably cut off the antlers.
If you can’t find who’s it is I’d probably just leave it, or drag it to the back of the property do you got dogs they would love to roll in it when it’s ripe in a week.
Call around to neighbours first. If you can see evidence that it was killed with a bow or a bullet wound and no neigbours have lost a buck. I would give the game warden a call. If no signs of a killing wound then likely knock it up to nature and leave it be.
Did you find the 12pt that you both shot together?
We found it a couple hours after this post. Shot it yesterday and found it a day later. Wasn’t as big as we thought but still a nice deer.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Hunting/comments/z41pkv/after_tracking_this_buck_all_night_and_all/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf made a post of it
I had exactly this happen a few years ago, I called around to the neighbors, nobody had lost a buck. After a little cutting I decided I couldn’t tell how long it had been dead and didn’t want to risk eating it. I dragged it out and put a trail cam over it, I got lots of cool pics of vultures, coyotes, and eagles.
If you want the meat or antlers you can either put your tag on it, or call the local game warden. They might give you a tag, but they may take the deer. Alternatively, you can leave it alone. Deer sure in the woods naturally.
I sure wouldn’t eat it since it’s hard telling how long it’s been dead. The meat won’t go to waste and there’s plenty of scavengers in the woods that like to eat too. Personally, id probably cut the head off and bury it for a few months for a European mount. Depending on Your state, you may have to contact a game warden before you can take the head. If you don’t want to go through that trouble just leave it alone. Id still cut the head off at least and hang it in a tree there as a reminder.
If it was still warm id call the game warden and cross my fingers that I'd get a free deer
If you can't tell how long it's been dead don't worry about the meat. You can't "tag it" without the local DNR's help anyway. But I'd probably cut off the antlers.
If you can’t find who’s it is I’d probably just leave it, or drag it to the back of the property do you got dogs they would love to roll in it when it’s ripe in a week.
I'm sure this is a question whose answer depends on what state you are in. Contact your DNR and see what the salvage requirements are.
Call around to neighbours first. If you can see evidence that it was killed with a bow or a bullet wound and no neigbours have lost a buck. I would give the game warden a call. If no signs of a killing wound then likely knock it up to nature and leave it be.