How Would You Feel??
- SHoff10
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How Would You Feel??
Well, the last month has left me with a lot of doubts, questions, and concerns about a hunt I had on November 13th. If you recall, I was bowting in Northeast Kansas. On the morning of the 13th I arrowed my biggest buck to date, probably a 4.5 year old, and couldn't find him. I thought I made a great shot on him but it turns out that I didn't. We tracked him forever and eventually lost blood. This deer's hoof prints were so big and wide that I coudln't believe it.
Anyways, fastforward to today...I get a call from a local who we hunt with in Kansas. He was out rifle hunting two nights ago and right at last light he had a huge bodied buck with what he believed was a BIG rack come out. He couldn't get his scope on him and didn't feel comfortable with the shot since it was too dark. Keep in mind that he is a local in Kansas and has seen his fair share of big bucks. So when he tells me big, I believe him. Anyways, this deer he sees is limping very badly and is wounded in his right front shoulder. The reason why this is relevant to me is because that where he saw this buck is right where we lost blood when we were tracking the deer I shot. I also shot my deer on the right side. Unfortunately everything happened so fast that when I shot I was unsure as to where my arrow hit him? If the deer he saw was the one I wounded, then apparently I hit him in the shoulder. He told me that he would do anything he could to put this deer down and investigate. If the broadhead and arrow, that I believe are in him, match what I shoot, he would give me the antlers.
Anyways, my real question is how would you feel if you got the antlers in this situation? I was torn up for weeks about wounding this deer. I felt terrible because of how much time I put into practicing, technique, etc. I couldn't believe that I had just blown my chance at a true kansas brute. I would love to get the antlers and be provided with some closure, but I don't feel like it would be "my" buck at all. Would you just tell him to take a picture and send it to you and call it good? Part of me would like to get the antlers and do some type of mount, but technically I wouldn't have been the one who killed this deer.
Anyways, fastforward to today...I get a call from a local who we hunt with in Kansas. He was out rifle hunting two nights ago and right at last light he had a huge bodied buck with what he believed was a BIG rack come out. He couldn't get his scope on him and didn't feel comfortable with the shot since it was too dark. Keep in mind that he is a local in Kansas and has seen his fair share of big bucks. So when he tells me big, I believe him. Anyways, this deer he sees is limping very badly and is wounded in his right front shoulder. The reason why this is relevant to me is because that where he saw this buck is right where we lost blood when we were tracking the deer I shot. I also shot my deer on the right side. Unfortunately everything happened so fast that when I shot I was unsure as to where my arrow hit him? If the deer he saw was the one I wounded, then apparently I hit him in the shoulder. He told me that he would do anything he could to put this deer down and investigate. If the broadhead and arrow, that I believe are in him, match what I shoot, he would give me the antlers.
Anyways, my real question is how would you feel if you got the antlers in this situation? I was torn up for weeks about wounding this deer. I felt terrible because of how much time I put into practicing, technique, etc. I couldn't believe that I had just blown my chance at a true kansas brute. I would love to get the antlers and be provided with some closure, but I don't feel like it would be "my" buck at all. Would you just tell him to take a picture and send it to you and call it good? Part of me would like to get the antlers and do some type of mount, but technically I wouldn't have been the one who killed this deer.
“If some animals are good at hunting and others are suitable for hunting, then the Gods must clearly smile on hunting.” –Aristotle
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Re: How Would You Feel??
I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. if you were given the antlers and the guy who ended the deer life had no problem giving them to you, it would make a cool story. all antlers are cool, reguardless how we get them (other than poaching)
- Edcyclopedia
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Re: How Would You Feel??
It is definately a tough one...
I seem to think much like you, but after removing all doubt and the underlying fact of your weapon didn't kill him then I would probably ask for a nice picture and hope for the best on your next big buck.
Ultimately if it was found dead - I wouldn't have a problem taking the antlers from that point, knowing your history and all.
Either way that gentelman is very generous to offer, but he certainly must have seen a star quality in you to offer - pretty cool situation from that perspective!
I seem to think much like you, but after removing all doubt and the underlying fact of your weapon didn't kill him then I would probably ask for a nice picture and hope for the best on your next big buck.
Ultimately if it was found dead - I wouldn't have a problem taking the antlers from that point, knowing your history and all.
Either way that gentelman is very generous to offer, but he certainly must have seen a star quality in you to offer - pretty cool situation from that perspective!
Expect the Unexpected when you least Expect it...
- MOBIGBUCKS
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Re: How Would You Feel??
I think I would just be happy with a picture and the closure you would have knowing what happened to the buck.
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Re: How Would You Feel??
Sounds like you put a lot of pressure on yourself with this deer. Would having this deer on your wall really be a life-changing event? No matter how big it is, to me a buck is still just a deer. A beautiful, magnificent, fabulous creature that you happened to be lucky enough to hunt and sometimes take home with you. I personally would forever relish the story of this hunt and tell it over and over again to my kids and grandkids and anyone else that would listen. But that would be enough for me.
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- hunter_mike
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Re: How Would You Feel??
If it were me, i would feel the same way. I would tell him that i would like him to keep the antlers for himself and ask if he could just send a couple pictures. If he shoots it i would just feel relieved to know the buck isn't out there limping around anymore.
Hopefully that guy shoots that buck! Hang in there man!
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- PLB
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Re: How Would You Feel??
A picture would be enough for me. Bulletin board material. The one that got away! He's still out there alive. You didn't kill him. I wouldn't want the antlers personally if I didn't kill him.
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- headgear
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Re: How Would You Feel??
Just a pic would do.
- FRH
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Re: How Would You Feel??
I think some pics should suffice. A little momento from your hunt. If he really wanted too give you the antlers I wouldn't feel bad about it. But if it were me it would just be awkward looking at a rack that someone else killed.
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- backstraps
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Re: How Would You Feel??
hunter_mike wrote:If it were me, i would feel the same way. I would tell him that i would like him to keep the antlers for himself and ask if he could just send a couple pictures. If he shoots it i would just feel relieved to know the buck isn't out there limping around anymore.
Hopefully that guy shoots that buck! Hang in there man!
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X2 this posting for me
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Re: How Would You Feel??
You are being to hard on yourself... I personally would not take the antlers from the guy who finishes the job... But, thats me. Follow your own heart.
- Casper
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Re: How Would You Feel??
Public Land Beast wrote:A picture would be enough for me. Bulletin board material. The one that got away! He's still out there alive. You didn't kill him. I wouldn't want the antlers personally if I didn't kill him.
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x2, chalk it up to a learning experience.
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- Badger
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Re: How Would You Feel??
I wouldn't want a rack from a deer I didn't kill
- James
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Re: How Would You Feel??
Badger wrote:I wouldn't want a rack from a deer I didn't kill
x2
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- Uncle Lou
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Re: How Would You Feel??
Interesting situation. Wonder how I would feel if I was the guy doing a mercy kill on the deer, would I want the antlers then? Dunno
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