Finishing a deer with a pistol

[dirtyharry]

If a deer is shot during bow season (with a bow), is it legal to finish it with a pistol if needed once you find it? A buddy says it is, but I don’t think so. My thought is how do you prove which shot came first, the arrow or the bullet.

[matt11]

It is not legal at all during bow season to utilize a firearm to kill a deer even if it is to put it out of its misery.

[JDG]

If a deer is shot during bow season (with a bow), is it legal to finish it with a pistol if needed once you find it? A buddy says it is, but I don’t think so. My thought is how do you prove which shot came first, the arrow or the bullet.

Your buddy does not comprehend the term "Bow" Now you go tell him you was right this time!! lol

[JohnJak]

Was your life in eminent danger during the shooting?

[Hawgrider]

If a deer is shot during bow season (with a bow), is it legal to finish it with a pistol if needed once you find it? A buddy says it is, but I don’t think so. My thought is how do you prove which shot came first, the arrow or the bullet.

That would be an absolutely NOT!

[DrScaryGuy]

Was your life in eminent danger during the shooting?

didn't you see the story about a hunter that got killed by the deer he had already shot?

[oldmann1967]

If a deer is shot during bow season (with a bow), is it legal to finish it with a pistol if needed once you find it? A buddy says it is, but I don’t think so. My thought is how do you prove which shot came first, the arrow or the bullet.

Not a chance

[gman]

ummm, why not finish it with another arrow from his bow? I have had to do this in the past, if you're close enough to put a finishing shot in it with your concealed carry, you're close enough for another bow shot.

[zcolt45]

What about that Knife you have!
If its too close, attach it to Selfie Stick and?

[JDG]

What about that Knife you have!
If its too close, attach it to Selfie Stick and?

You hunt with a selfie stick? lol

[zcolt45]

You hunt with a selfie stick? lol

Who Takes your Photo after you Harvest your Game!

That selfie stick can hold that skinning knife to ensure you are at a safe distance when poking the game.
Hunters do carry knives into the field!

and for those that use a support...

Choose the Right Shooting Sticks (https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2019/6/15/how-to-choose-the-right-shooting-sticks/)

//\\

[oil dripper]

Who Takes your Photo after you Harvest your Game!

That selfie stick can hold that skinning knife to ensure you are at a safe distance when poking the game.
Hunters do carry knives into the field!

Yes, you wouldn't want to do a Eduardo Garcia on it, but make sure that selfie stick is non conductive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Garcia_(American_chef)#Hunting_accident

[MentalAttack]

Heard that you can have to pay a fee for that, or even it is possible to lose your license

[matt11]

Heard that you can have to pay a fee for that, or even it is possible to lose your license

Vioate game laws, you could also have your gun and even vehicle confiscated.

[JohnJak]

Pistol whipping is allowed.

[mudoven]

Slightly off topic, but is it legal to dispatch a mortally wounded deer (with a firearm) that has been struck by a vehicle? Seems inhumane to let an animal suffer needlessly.

[matt11]

Slightly off topic, but is it legal to dispatch a mortally wounded deer (with a firearm) that has been struck by a vehicle? Seems inhumane to let an animal suffer needlessly.

No. Actually my BIL that lives near traverse city went through this with a cop up there, BIL stopped at an accident where a deer was hit, Pleaded with cop to put deer that wash thrashing and making some horrific noises to put it out of it misery.

[PhotoTom]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX7Yo0tWDgk

[JDG]

LMAO!!^^^

[RMC]

In 2017 there was an article where a taxidermist found a .22 in the skull of a deer head he was skinning so he called the DNR. They contacted the hunter who told them he downed the deer with a muzzleloader and then finished it with a .22 handgun. IIRC the hunter was educated on the law and given a ticket for using the .22 during muzzleloader season. They did not say if he lost the deer or any firearm.

[bentstick]

No. Actually my BIL that lives near traverse city went through this with a cop up there, BIL stopped at an accident where a deer was hit, Pleaded with cop to put deer that wash thrashing and making some horrific noises to put it out of it misery.

You are allowed to if"in season and have proper license" if you have the responding officers or Dnr permission,only reason permission has to granted is it in a right of way ie the road,other than nope it up to officer or DNR to finish off the animal

[HarrisJrld]

Of course, you can’t! It is absolutely not legal during the bow season! Your friend either tried to betray you, or he didn't know it himself:Ноно:

[tenthumbs]

Use a tar arn.

[JamesCC]

Not illegal but your buddy may have a hard time sleeping if his conscious starts to make up stories in his head. You good man!

[Leader]

Use a tar arn.

Also against the law.

[Roundballer]

Also against the law.

O RLY?

[tenthumbs]

Also against the law.

You must be thinking of a tar tule.

[mudoven]

It's a sad state of affairs when you can not dispatch a mortally wounded animal by shooting, stabbing, or bludgeoning...the poor thing has to suffer until a DNR or LEO shows up and puts it out of its misery. That is inhumane and just plain wrong.

[Leader]

It's a sad state of affairs when you can not dispatch a mortally wounded animal by shooting, stabbing, or bludgeoning...the poor thing has to suffer until a DNR or LEO shows up and puts it out of its misery. That is inhumane and just plain wrong.

But it IS the law as written.
If it is not in season or you don't have a license, you can't legally kill it.

[nmuskier]

But it IS the law as written.
If it is not in season or you don't have a license, you can't legally kill it.

"It was already dead. I was just proving the point!" :grin:

[PatriotWholesale]

As others have stated 100% illegal to use a gun to finish off a deer. The only legal way would be if you were in fear of your life but if the deer is down there is no way that would fly (you'd also have to contact law enforcement ASAP).

As it relates to a deer hit but a car it's also mostly illegal to put down the deer. The only exception I could think of is if it was during firearm season and the deer made it off of the right of way onto your property, you have permission from the land owner or state land that allows hunting. In this case you'd have to use your tag as well.

[langenc]

AND do NOT finish one along the highway either.... Let the LEO/deer cop do it-they get paid to do so.

[Magicshark]

Why don't you want to finish it with an another arrow? I don't think it is necessary to use a pistol in this case, if only there is an emergency.