What Would You Have Done?

[ajmurf]

Alright, I've been getting alot of guff for this but I know I made the right decision. I was deer hunting zone 4A a couple of weeks ago. At 8:00am(cuz I just got off of work) about a half mile north of where I hunt I look over and see a huge 12 point buck sitting on a fence line about 50 feet from the road on private property. This deer was by far a nice trophy. I just watched it for about 30 seconds and drove off. People I've talked to told me I should've shot it from the road. I personally don't hunt like that, so they think I'm not a true deer hunter. They say that a real deer hunter will shoot anything anytime anywhere. I told them I never want to hunt with them. Anyhow another scenario for you. Around noon my wifes uncle decides he's gonna pick the beans that were left in way too late. I decided it would be a perfect time to run to my parents house and get some supplies I forgot at home. So I'm walkin' my father-in-laws land, and just about to go to my car. For some reason I stopped and looked around, just then I get the old snort. A flippin' 8 point buck jumps up in front of me at about 25ft head on. He was a very nice deer, nice rack, huge neck, huge body. But I didn't shoot cuz I new at about 50 yards behind him there were hunters in that woods. So I ran with him for a little to see where he would go, and left it at that. In my opinion it's better to be safe then sorry. I have the rest of my life to deer hunt and I don't think a deer is worth takin' a very risky shot towards other hunters. I got a lot of greef for lettin' this one go also. To each there own, but I didn't want my name in the paper or news for bein' a statistic on a deer hunting tradgedy. Little did I know that when I went back to my car the hunters that hunt those woods were at there vehicles eating lunch. So I could've maybe should've shot but I didn't. What do you all think you would've done? By the way I did get a spike buck on Sunday morning. So at least I didn't get skunked. Sorry bout' the book I just wrote. I just wanted some real hunters opinions.

Thanks

[Greg Clusiau]

ajmurf ~ I think YOU are the true hunter. You can hunt with me anytime...........GC

[mechanictim]

In both situations you did the right thing. Shooting from a road into private property is a disaster waiting to happen. The very least of wich could be a ticked off property owner putting up signs and kicking out someone else off their honey hole. As for shooting at somewhere someone might be in the line of fire thats a no brainer.

You might want to ask those guys who said you aren't a true hunter how many no tresspassing signs they are responsible for and if they consider them some kind of trophy. They won't have a clue what you are talking about.

since you didn't shoot at the big trophy you might consider telling the property owner what you saw, when they find out you let it go cause of the situation they might let you hunt their property.Some of the farmers in my area let bowhunters on their posted land cause they don't like having the corn torn up by bucks fighting.

[ajmurf]

Some of the guys were saying if they don't see orange then they will shoot, even if they had seen orange in that area previously. I think it's careless people like this that give others a bad name. They were saying if it moves it goes down. What ever happened to make sure of what you are shooting at before you shoot? If I remember right that was one of the first things my dad and firearm saftey training taught me. It's been a few years since then, but good info is hard to forget.

[Deitz Dittrich]

ajmurf, you are a true hunter and a great sportsman.. dont let anyone tell you different. A true hunter obeys all game laws!

[Pistolero]

Ethics are what you do when no one else is around. You have shown that you are an ethical hunter and your behavior is what we as hunters want to see. What you exhibited is a reflection of how you live the rest of your life outside of hunting, which tells me that you are a very honorable person! I agree with the others here, that hunting with you would be an honor. As for the ones the gave you a hard time, I think that they need to enroll in a Advanced Hunters Education class, they do exist through the DNR. It would do them a lot of good!

[nuts]

Quote:

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They say that a real deer hunter will shoot anything anytime anywhere.

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That is pure bull. A real deer hunter hunts both ethically, and by the law - POACHERS will shoot anything anytime anywhere.

You made the right call both times. Don't let anyone tell you different.

[BarryG]

You did the only thing a RESPONSIBLE hunter would do!!! I know from real life experiance that when a deer hunter gets shot and dies that it will completely screw up your deer hunting for quite awhile, even if you didn't fire a shot. My hat is off to you for DOING THE RIGHT THING!!!!

[LuciandTim]

The deer on private propert is obvious..there is nothing you can do. Maybe you could of aked but why waste your time, that deer would be gone. Take a good look and wish him well. The second one is a good decision too. If I had gun ready I may have tried to walk around or get a different back drop but you did good.

[Lunker]

It's nice to see some ethics. Good stuff, good stuff.

[wolfman-k]

You did exactly the right thing! If we as individuals can't look ourselves in the mirror without the shame of guilt associated with unethical behavior, what does that teach our kids and others about our personnal need to do the right thing no matter what others say or think. At least you can sleep well at night, which is more than some can say! Keep up the good example of hunter ethics.

[30 inch eyes]

You did the right thing, but you should have shot the 12 with your camera so we could all see a picture of it. As far as the 8 goes I would have done the same thing you did. You can hunt with me any time.

[paceman]

ajmurf you are awesome. Can I trade you for my unethical, lawbreaking brother.......

[Farley]

The 12 pointer is a given, even if you wouldve shot it dead, you'll always know it was taken that way, no matter what you decide the story would be.

The 8-pointer would've been a tough decision.

[bigbucks]

I agree with Farley, not knowing the exact situation of the 8 pointer. I probably would have tried to get a shot where I could see dirt, like a hill or bank or brush pile, or something behind the deer. I realize you may have already known there was no such thing.

[MNice]

ajmurf, You are an honorable man! You welcome to hunt with me anytime.

[bgfish00]

You did the Right thing in My Book. I can certainly respect that as I am a Public Land Hunter and it is Far Better to Be Safe and Sure rather than Sorry.....

[Eric Wettschreck]

ajmurf, You're welcome in our hunting camp anytime my man.

I like the part where you say you have the rest of your life to hunt. Good to see ethics out there.

[TomBow]

Well, we are all in agreement then?? I would have done the exact same thing. I'd rather see a great deer that I never get a shot at than shoot a great deer, knowing I did it unethically or at the risk of someone else. And I would rather lose permission than be involved with hunters that don't share the same view. There are other deer seasons and other deer. You will get your chance. You got it right, IMO, and you should be proud of those deer that you DIDN't shoot! Best of Luck!

[nuts]

ajmurf -

I was doing some reading on the DNR HSOforum, and I think with your stories you'd have a chance at winning this:

"But there are countless more examples of ethical behavior that occur every day that hunters are afield. We just don't often hear about them. To address that, the DNR, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA), and Turn in Poachers (TIP 1-800-652-9093) launched a contest that annually presents a deer hunter ethics award. Now in its 13th year, the award is presented to a deer hunter who exhibits conduct during the season that can serve as an example of admirable hunting practices. Anyone may nominate a hunter by writing a letter explaining the actions of the nominee and why that person is worthy of this recognition. Both youth and adults are eligible, but nominees must be Minnesota residents. The incidents for which hunters are nominated must have occurred during any of the 2004 Minnesota deer hunting seasons (firearm, archery, and muzzleloader.) The MDHA will accept nominations for the award until Feb. 1, 2005. Nomination letters should be sent to Ethical Hunter Award, MDHA, 460 Peterson Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-8413."

[ajmurf]

Well.... Thanks for all of the positive feed back. I really appreciate it. You all make me feel like a better outdoorsman than I had thought I was. Some of you were saying that I should have looked for a shooting lane at the 8pt buck, and I did. I looked for a do-able shot but it wasn't a sure shot so that's why I didn't take it. "NUTS" that award sounds pretty cool. Can't say I've ever heard of it. It sounds like you have to have someone else put in for it for you. Maybe I'll talk my wife into nominating me. Thanks again to all that have replied, it's a good feeling to know that other people agree with my choices.

Thanks

Andy

[IceBound]

I believe that you are sleeping better knowing that you made the right call...any time that you have a weapon in your hand you take on the responsibility of the circumstances that can come from using it. I am sure that you would have shot both of those deer...and you may always think about it, but the fact is...you didn't shoot and you have had many others tell you that you made the right call. I have been in enough close calls while duck and pheasant hunting to know that some people will react to the game and forget about their surroundings...good call...you can be proud that you didn't shoot.

[Eric_Sieve]

That I boy...all real hunters would ahve done the same. Personally to my the trophy would have felt cheap because of the way I got it. I would rather see nothing all year than to have a great trophy that I didn't earn...