What factors would you keep hunting and not notch the tag?Depends on circumstances. It would all be fact dependent.
What factors would you keep hunting and not notch the tag?
What factors would you keep hunting and not notch the tag?
So?Not 100% sure, to be honest. I would probably look at all the factors in front of me and make the best decision for the moment I could.
I’ve only ever had two occasions where I’ve hit an animal that was not recovered.
One was as a teenager, I shot a buck the last evening of the season and it got too dark to find it. Spoke to a DWR officer that night wanting to recover the buck, but also knowing the season would be over and making sure we were in line with the law, and he said “Sure, you could go find it the next day, but since the season is over you better not have a gun on you!” So my bros and I went up to find it, tracked blood for an awful long time, found the buck dead…except he wasn’t. As we walked up the buck lifted his head, turned and looked at us, got up and ran off. He was no longer bleeding and we could never find him again. Season was over, so no more hunting after that. I’m guessing thinking back to 15 year old Vanilla, I bet I would have kept hunting if that had been opening night, but no way to know for sure.
I Didn't Know You Were A Magician As Well?The other was in 2021, I think. I shot a buck and he dropped dead in his tracks. He was in a herd with another buck and several does. Some other hunters that I had no clue they were there were also watching this happen. They watched the buck drop too. We walked up to the buck and he wasn’t there. The other hunters walked up and were equally amazed as they said they watched from a different angle and saw it go straight down, and never saw it get back up. They helped us look for blood for over an hour. After they left I looked for another hour. Nothing. No sign of this buck. No blood to find in any direction. Very weird situation.
I didn’t officially “punch my tag,” but I did stop hunting at that point. I’m certain that buck was dead somewhere, but have no clue how he got out of that area without us or the other hunters seeing him, and with no blood. I hope the aliens that took him invisibly from me enjoyed that buck!
I absolutely could foresee circumstances where a solid, real, good faith effort into finding a wounded animal, but not being able to, and then continuing to hunt. It’s not illegal. I’m not even sure I’d agree with someone that said it was not ethical. I think there are times where either practice would be fine in my mind, all depending on the circumstances.
I’m with you on this…Personal ethics. If I draw blood it’s over.
What would you do?I’ve cut broad heads out of elk that had obviously been in um a long time. Wounded doesn’t always mean dead. I agree, it’s situation dependent
Depends. We wanna go through the couple thousand different scenarios that could possibly happen out there? It’s not all black and white. Probably why the law says you don’t have to notch the tag. There’s no way to have one answerWhat would you do?
Tag is only good for that one animal.
Which animal is my tag only good for?
Will there be a sign pointing to it saying “Vanilla only” ??? How will I know?
It’s certainly an ethical question not a legality, that I feel is rather black and white. Hit or miss. When you know you hit but it isn’t good do you keep hunting ir hang it up?Depends. We wanna go through the couple thousand different scenarios that could possibly happen out there? It’s not all black and white. Probably why the law says you don’t have to notch the tag. There’s no way to have one answer
Which is it? Black and white or worth serious consideration? Seem to be contradicting yourself s bit.Vanilla has brought up the only scenario that iv encountered that has caused serious consideration
...couldn't...
I agree. ImWhich is it? Black and white or worth serious consideration? Seem to be contradicting yourself s bit.
For the record. I could care less what someone decides in their situation
Ok boomer...couldn't...
What if it’s raining? All so black and white…I agree. Im
Referring to no blood found
edit: sorry for the typos.
Certainly a climate condition and considerationWhat if it’s raining? All so black and white…
When You Shoot A Buck & It Drops & Goes Teat's Up!
And Some Other Hunters Seen It Go Teats Up!
That's The Buck Your Tag Is Good For!
And You Are Done!
There Are Witnesses That Seen you Kill It!
Wait for the Ravens and Magpies to show up...so you wound an animal and can’t find it.
You notching your tag or you looking to dirt nap the next stud?
Assuming you can identify the animal you shot… but maybe I shouldn’t assume…Which animal is my tag only good for?
Will there be a sign pointing to it saying “Vanilla only” ??? How will I know?
Pure honesty right thereI've wounded and lost a couple. Being young and dumb and teaching myself to hunt.
But when that happened i just hunted the animal I lost the rest of the season. I found the bull I lost a few years later.
Learned some hard lessons. But that's what hunting is.
Mountain lions wound em and lose em too.
I too have chosen to pursue a wounded animal aswell because it is easier than a fit animal.I've wounded and lost a couple. Being young and dumb and teaching myself to hunt.
But when that happened i just hunted the animal I lost the rest of the season. I found the bull I lost a few years later.
Learned some hard lessons. But that's what hunting is.
Mountain lions wound em and lose em too.
pretty sure nobody on here has starving children or families. if so, cancel your internet and cell phone and go feed them.Had a friend shoot a buck in Wyoming, dropped the buck, thought it was dead, went to get it, buck jumped up and ran away. No blood. Thought he must have hit it in the antler and knocked it out, concussion. I don't think he quit hunting, but i don't believe he shot another buck that year.
I have gotten a few broadheads out of elk shoulders that were from previous years hunt.
Each situation is different. If I know that I made a poor shot and the animal is mortally wounded, I would punch my tag. However, i don't have starving children dependent on the meat.
No staving children, but my wife and i strongly reliese on wild game. Because we refuse to pay the price for the bullsht meat at the grocery store. Who knows that crap is in that meat either.pretty sure nobody on here has starving children or families. if so, cancel your internet and cell phone and go feed them.
Nope!Do wolves count?
Always enjoy the variety of ways folks justify to themselves drawing blood on multiple animals under one tag.
If you don't already know the answer, then I guess the answer for you is nothing.What needs to be justified?
If you don't already know the answer, then I guess the answer for you is nothing.
That cant possibly be the best you got?Super intelligent and educational reply.
Well done!
That's what I thought. I'm going to do the right thing. Until I don't. mtmuleyNope!
Gut shoot one and do not follow up!
It’s funny I don’t think any of what you listed is all that controversial. To me your decisions were black and white. The notch your tag is just a saying, I don’t actually notch the tag just stop hunting.Ok, I’ll play. All you moral judges give me your worse. 3 occasions in my hunting career
1- Drew a good buck muzzy tag. Late. Weather was chit, deer were moving. Found a good buck, made the stalk, nailed him hard. Knew I killed him. When I got to where he was it was pouring and he wasn’t there. Found blood but it was washing away. Thick stuff. Looked for a full day before I gave up. Was done hunting. Didn’t ceremoniously notch the tag but I was done. Hold your applause
2- hammered a black bear but knew I hit him high. Blood went to a steep drop off, again super thick. Looked till dark ( shot him around noon) couldn’t turn him up. Kept hunting bears. I know, how could I?
3- shot a elk one year in the one spot on the shoulder blade where an arrows just going to bounce off. Musta pulled it. Shot was behind me a bit at about 35 yards. It happens. Found my arrow right there with about 2” of blood up the shaft. His shoulder probably hurt like hell but they’re pretty tuff. Kept hunting. Killed a bull. A moral degenerate I know
I still stand by it’s not black and white.
Yeah but I drew blood on a bull and then killed another bull! Granted it was a 2” deep cut in an animal that gets worse then that sparing in the rut and probably walked it off in an afternoon but half guys on this thread woulda hung it up after that right?It’s funny I don’t think any of what you listed is all that controversial. To me your decisions were black and white. The notch your tag is just a saying, I don’t actually notch the tag just stop hunting.
Also thanks for laying out some examples, this is the stuff I was looking for, cause most of us have a tale or two similar. I’m not trying to judge anyone but more gain perspective.
Turns out it was the best you got. Who’d of thought?I tried to have a reasonable discussion once, and you failed. Why waste my time?
I’m not trying to judge anyone but more gain perspective.
Maybe they would but your assessment seems fairly black and white to meYeah but I drew blood on a bull and then killed another bull! Granted it was a 2” deep cut in an animal that gets worse then that sparing in the rut and probably walked it off in an afternoon but half guys on this thread woulda hung it up after that right?
Right?That's what I thought. I'm going to do the right thing. Until I don't. mtmuley
Do what you can live with. mtmuleyRight?
You too.Do what you can live with. mtmuley
I do. As a role model for my kids. And I didn't gut shoot my wolf. mtmuleyYou too.
I respect that….I do. As a role model for my kids. And I didn't gut shoot my wolf. mtmuley
Trust me. I get the feeling about wolves. Wyoming and Idaho brought them in in 1995. Montana got the overflow. But, I had chances to kill them before a season was established. One on private land I could really have maybe gotten away with. Wasn't going to risk the penalties or the "ethics" if you will. Polarizing issue for a long time I bet. mtmuleyI respect that….
I never have either!
Was just a smartass comment…
You are correct.I’ve always wondered if CWMUs could legally enforce the “if you draw blood your hunt is done” policies when it comes to public hunters.
They certainly can on paid tags, but I don’t think their policies would hold up for state hunters if they tried to prosecute someone for violating that policy on a CWMU.
Trust me I get it…..Trust me. I get the feeling about wolves. Wyoming and Idaho brought them in in 1995. Montana got the overflow. But, I had chances to kill them before a season was established. One on private land I could really have maybe gotten away with. Wasn't going to risk the penalties or the "ethics" if you will. Polarizing issue for a long time I bet. mtmuley
I feel for Colorado. Especially how this is going so far. mtmuleyTrust me I get it…..
I could go on a tangent about wolves in Colorado and I have those same ethics ….
I shouldn’t have made my smartass comment but sometimes I wonder if it’s all humor
I’m sure an argument could be made for waste but in my experience the “ waste” become nearly impossible to find, thus the “notched” tagI’ve always wondered if CWMUs could legally enforce the “if you draw blood your hunt is done” policies when it comes to public hunters.
They certainly can on paid tags, but I don’t think their policies would hold up for state hunters if they tried to prosecute someone for violating that policy on a CWMU.
Am I the only one who has heard this speech?for fun let’s say this is an out of state hunt
No wonder the Dutton keeps getting tougherI used to guide for a very reputable Outfitter (20 years) and their rule was "if you draw blood, that is your animal.
You can continue to hunt for that animal for the remainder of your hunt but you cannot take another animal".
Prior to my guiding career, my stance was very different, I would continue hunting.
I was young, had the "must kill to be successful" mentality, but learned to change and understand Conservation a little better.
Would I scoff at someone who's arrow only penetrated 2" into a shoulder?
No, absolutely not.
But.....I personally know a guy who stuck and lost 3 bulls on the Dutton before he officially notched his tag on the 4th bull with his LE tag 3 years ago.
THAT is a hard "No!".
Right??No wonder the Dutton keeps getting tougher
I do. As a role model for my kids. And I didn't gut shoot my wolf. mtmuley
My wife only wants to use her bow, so you known in it for the long haulAm I the only one who has heard this speech?
"Honey, I know you bought the license and tag for Idaho in January and had no idea you would be laid off until next Spring and you know I want you to go because it's what you love to do. You've been hunting for as long as I've known you and I would never ask you to stay home. Don't worry we'll make it somehow. I called the doctor's office, and they said we could pay $20/month until you get back to work. I just hope you enjoy the hunt, and Lord knows we can use the meat so don't pass anything up and don't miss!"
Yeah, no pressure.
Flying rats? I jkAre birds animals?
A wolf or my wife?OK!
Did you Take it To The Local Bar & Show It Off?
I’m sure an argument could be made for waste but in my experience the “ waste” become nearly impossible to find, thus the “notched” tag
They Just Might Say:Not in Utah. I can’t speak for laws in other states, but if you make a good faith effort to recover your animal and are unable, there is absolutely nothing illegal about continuing to hunt.
Which is why I think the CWMU specific rules would not stand up if they tried to prosecute someone that drew a state tag on the CWMU. But then again, who knows what the DWR would try to do to appease some of these folks?
I’ve found the value put on life is extremely subjective even to the most pure of ethical hunters.Are birds animals?
For me, its got nothing to do with the value of life, but everything to do with what I believe the intent of the tag is. In the case of darn near every big game tag, the intent is for no more than one dead animal. In the case of most licenses for birds, the intent is for multiple dead birds. Multiple per day and multiple per season. I suppose if my deer tag was good for 4 deer per day, no more than 8 in possession then I would care a lot less about hitting a deer and not finding it.I’ve found the value put on life is extremely subjective even to the most pure of ethical hunters.
I’m sure none of the elite moral hunters in this thread would ever consider still filling a bag limit after not recovering a duck or two
yes ,most ethics are subjective
Please show me where I, or anyone else on this thread, that believes one hit and done is the correct answer has said they are superior?But…..BUT!!!! Mine are superior always, right?
I mean, I’m the one able to determine the intent of the tag outside of what the law actually says, so MINE are the good ones!
Right?!?!?
Absolutely. Beginning back in the 60's my duck hunting partner, (RIP Dan) and I joined Ducks Unlimited. Not only that but if we knocked down a duck and failed to retrieve it, it counted towards our limit. At the end of the season, we sent Ducks Unlimited 10 cents for every bird we harvested and 25 cents for every bird we knocked down but lost. True story.Are birds animals?
I am able to determine what I believe the intent of the tag is. As are you. Free will is an awesome thing. No one is arguing legality except you. Your belief is keep hitting stuff until you finally find one. Great! You do you.
You lost me with that one.Except that’s not how you’re acting at all.
Feel free to scroll up and read all my posts and all of yours and come back and reiterate this post with a straight face.
You lost me with that one.
You sure seem to be overly sensitive to anyone that disagrees with your view.