I have often accepted the idea of killing animals for two main reasons. I use the word killing instead of the PC term; "Harvesting" mainly because that is what it is. .....
Condition #1; Any animal taken within the state's hunting season. Legally and ethically.
Condition #2; Conservation effort such as shooting Coyotes and feral hogs.
Lately I have encountered a third that is really a grey area. Killing a wounded animal such as a deer. In Iowa, it is illegal to shoot a deer that has been hit by an automobile. On that occasion I waited for an LEO to show up and even though it took about 30-minutes for him to get there, It was too long to watch the deer's struggle and next time, I suspect I won't wait. ...
Last week one of my yard squirrels was walking awkward and looked like he had a damaged right-rear leg. He could climb and he was eating acorns but could not stand erect. I have no problem shooting my bag limit during the season but just could not bring myself to shoot him as he looked like he was getting along fairly well and had a chance to survive. Well, yesterday he was still doing fairly well when a Peregrine falcon also noticed his odd movements and quickly resolved the question. ....
I know that as ethical hunters, many of us have faced these situations and the resolve isn't always clear or positive. If you care to share your experiences then please do so.
Be Safe !!!
Condition #1; Any animal taken within the state's hunting season. Legally and ethically.
Condition #2; Conservation effort such as shooting Coyotes and feral hogs.
Lately I have encountered a third that is really a grey area. Killing a wounded animal such as a deer. In Iowa, it is illegal to shoot a deer that has been hit by an automobile. On that occasion I waited for an LEO to show up and even though it took about 30-minutes for him to get there, It was too long to watch the deer's struggle and next time, I suspect I won't wait. ...
Last week one of my yard squirrels was walking awkward and looked like he had a damaged right-rear leg. He could climb and he was eating acorns but could not stand erect. I have no problem shooting my bag limit during the season but just could not bring myself to shoot him as he looked like he was getting along fairly well and had a chance to survive. Well, yesterday he was still doing fairly well when a Peregrine falcon also noticed his odd movements and quickly resolved the question. ....
I know that as ethical hunters, many of us have faced these situations and the resolve isn't always clear or positive. If you care to share your experiences then please do so.
Be Safe !!!