what should I do?

[buckpredator]

Here is the deal, I have a little basket 6 pointer running around the woods I hunt, the poor thing has three legs(1front and 2 rear) He does seem to make it around decent and the coyotes obviously haven't got him yet. So do I take him if I see him first or do I wait for the couple of really nice mature bucks that I have been seeing. It is a conflict I have been thinking about lately. It would be a gamble to wait for the big boys, but after watching this other deer make it all year (and I mean I've literally have seen this three legged deer multiple times since spring) he has been hanging around with two does and really I can't tell if he is suffering that much Sooooooooooooo.......What do I do?

[92python]

Sounds like he is dealing with life as a 3 legged deer. I don't see this as a mercy kill must.

[John478]

If you’ve been see this deer on 3 legs since last spring he’ll be just fine. I wouldn’t take him to just put him out of his mercy.

A few years ago I had a 3 legged doe a 2 fawns come by from the direction that I had heard a couple of shoots from 20 minutes earlier. I had already put a nice doe in the freezer so I was after nothing but horns, but I took the doe because I thought she was wounded. After I shoot her I found out she wasn’t wounded at all. Her one front leg just didn’t work and it was tucked up to her chest. The land owner told me he had been seeing this deer for couple of years. Felt like [PoorWordUsage]

[Deitz Dittrich]

as others have said, I dont think this is a mercy kill situation. However, if the deer puts himself in your shooting lane and you do decide to pull the trigger, all is well. be proud of harvesting a fine animal.

I guess what I am saying.. dont feel you need to take this animal, but be happy if you do.

[BigGrassBass]

Well said Deitz. I couldn't agree more.

[archerystud]

If he has had 3 legs since Spring then the yotes aren't a problem for him at all.

I know years ago around my hometown there was a doe who had 3 legs and she was noted for producing triplets every year for a number of years. They are tough resilient critters.

[buckpredator]

Thanks for the replies guys. Talked to a couple neighboring hunting groups and they have said they have seen a three legged deer for the passed couple seasons don't know if this is the same one(I'd like to think that it is). Yeah he crossed in front of the truck this mourning as I was pulling out of the driveway, just ambling along, as said I will probably pass on him early in the season. Maybe take him later on but who knows. In a way I'd like to see him make it through a couple more seasons the poor guy apparently has already had a rough enough life and has earned that right IMO.

[propster]

The only thing faster than a deer on 4 legs is a deer on 3!

[bmc]

Boy, this is a tough situation.....I guess if it was up to me, I'd do what I could to harvest that deer. In my mind it seems like the ethical thing to do.

But then again we have a doe on my dad's property that we call "Limpy". She has a deformed front right hoof, but still gets around good and produces twins every year.

We have passed on her several times and this morning my dad shot a 6 ptr that was dogging her through the hardwoods. That just adds to the "soft spot" we have for her! LOL

It sounds like this deer is healthy other than missing one leg. Tough call to make, but do what you think is right.

Brian

[buckpredator]

He went unseen as of yesterday, did see a couple does early A.M. in the end didn't shoot. As in other areas alot of corn still up with also a lot of standing water in the corn. Deer have everything they need right there.