Always a bit amazed...

[bubba]

i agree and we can all say what we would do or not do.  but until you are in that situation no one knows. I am in an area where cell service is great. I can see the tower from my camp. I would call and do what needed to be done.  Unless someone turns you in. not much will come of ti anyway.

[cdmckane]

Not sure if I know anyone that would not take the shot if it was a wounded deer that is going to die. I would. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

The ECOs in this area are pretty strict about this. If you're tracking after dark with a weap, expect a ticket if you fire while it's dark. I don't agree with it, but by the letter of the law, it's illegal

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[First-light]

I have put down deer with a knife and gun after hour. Much easier with the gun, deer went to bite me when I approached with the knife, no kidding.

[BUCKANDAQUARTER]

Bubba you are right, I understand that it is against the law and that if it was legal some fools would try to take advantage of it and poach deer. I just think it is a shame that we could be punished for doing the ethical thing that we as hunters should strive for, quick kills. Ahh well. As Jennifer said I hope none of us will ever have to cross that bridge.

[jjb4900]

I think finishing one off a few minutes after hours is a whole different scenario than tracking one well after dark with a weapon...........

[bubba]

Yup and then there is the going to court possibly losing your hunting privileges fines etc.  Tough call for sure

[jjb4900]

I honestly don't think you would ever get the ok from DEC to track a deer after dark with a weapon...........and I certainly wouldn't risk doing it while carrying a weapon if it's well after dark, not worth it.

[bubba]

I have known people who have gotten permission. I have also seen the dec show up to help.

[jjb4900]

I've personally had DEC give me a hand on a track as well....very nice guy.

[Jennifer]

I've personally had DEC give me a hand on a track as well....very nice guy.

 

That's awesome to hear!

[Five Seasons]

Not trying to argue with you. But after sunset it Would be a good idea to notify the NYS Police of your intensions of using a firearm and when and where. If you ask any member of Deer Search that is one thing they are required to do. And there are many reasons for doing so.

I get where you're headed here and in some populated parts of the state I agree. But if I walk up on a dying deer, I'm putting it out of its misery, not calling the cops. I'm sure we've all seen the dying deer get up and book it too.

[Five Seasons]

That's what knives are for.

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Lmao. I'm getting anywhere near a wounded bucks antlers. You knock yourself out though.

[shawnhu]

Lmao. I'm getting anywhere near a wounded bucks antlers. You knock yourself out though.

Spell and grammar check any?

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[Five Seasons]

Shooting a deer after hours regardless of the situation is illegal. Simple as that. I know it should have some leeway but where does the leeway stop? Like I said I bet they hear those stories all the time by guys just trying to bend the laws and not for the right reasons.

You make a great point, I was just saying what I would do. Heck if a leo saw it, there better be 2 holes and one better be a little off the vitals. Heck the wadding is usually in the carcass that close

[Five Seasons]

Spell and grammar check any?

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Not on my iPhone buddy. Way to keep the convo relevant though.

[Pygmy]

 

Lmao. I'm getting anywhere near a wounded bucks antlers. You knock yourself out though.

 

I'm with you on this, Belo, and I'm no cherry...I have witnessed/ participated in finishing off deer ( and an elk) with knives, spears and clubs...

It is a good way to get yourself injured real badly for no good reason.

MR. 12 gauge is a much safer option, illegal or not.

[shawnhu]

Not on my iPhone buddy. Way to keep the convo relevant though.

Maybe you shouldn't even bother replying on your iPhone as well if you can't handle checking before posting.

Secondly, no one here is your buddy.

Third, no one mentioned using a knife on a buck, but you being narrow minded like you are, just automatically assumed that. No surprise there. How's that for keeping it relevant?

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[Five Seasons]

Maybe you shouldn't even bother replying on your iPhone as well if you can't handle checking before posting.

Secondly, no one here is your buddy.

Third, no one mentioned using a knife on a buck, but you being narrow minded like you are, just automatically assumed that. No surprise there. How's that for keeping it relevant?

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I don't even know why I entertain you bud, but here it goes. You said "you could always use. knife". I guess I should have remembered that you only shoot doe in the summer time. My bad pal. I'll remember next time chief. But I'm still not knifing a doe, their hoofs are nasty too.

[shawnhu]

I don't even know why I entertain you bud, but here it goes. You said "you could always use. knife". I guess I should have remembered that you only shoot doe in the summer time. My bad pal. I'll remember next time chief. But I'm still not knifing a doe, their hoofs are nasty too.

Just shot an 8 hard horned last week, I had my knife with me just in case. But with my marksmanship, I'll probably never need it. You on the other hand....

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[burmjohn]

The ECOs in this area are pretty strict about this. If you're tracking after dark with a weap, expect a ticket if you fire while it's dark. I don't agree with it, but by the letter of the law, it's illegal

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I'll take a ticket over letting a deer suffer any day. 

[bubba]

And the possbility os losing hunting privileges for 5 years

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[Five Seasons]

Curious to your thoughts Bubba. Do you think someone who loses their license for perhaps knowingly doing something illegal even cares about losing it (talking legitimate poachers here)? How many do you think continue to hunt. Lets be honest, it's not to hard to shoot a deer, skin and cut it up in your barn.

 

On the other hand, taking a licensee from someone for bending the rules to put a deer out of its misery might not be the kind of guy who continues to hunt, but also ends up giving up on hunting and no longer buying a tag.How many of these guys do you think "get back into it" after 5 years at all, and how many just hunt their private land anyhow...

Edited November 25, 2013 by Belo

[burmjohn]

And the possbility os losing hunting privileges for 5 years

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I guess I would in all honesty.  Keep in mind I'm talking about a downed deer, one that is clearly going to die.  Not sure if I'd be able to slice a deers throat (or risk getting injured), so a bullet or arrow would be the ethical thing to do would it not?  I'm not going to let an animal suffer needlessly. 

 

Slicing a deer's throat would not be "illegal" too?

[NFA-ADK]

Just because something is Illegal does not make it wrong.  Some of you would turn in your mother if she did not stop at a stop sign properly.  If police operated in this manor, ever person doing 1 mph over the speed limit would get a ticket.  Then the police would not be doing their job and would just be ticket generating every day.  We all know that these official are suppose to use some discretionary and objective thinking while on the job.  ECO are in the same boat...  While new people in this position get a little overzealous, as they progress in their roll they will learn and prioritize. 

 

Many  examples of this exist:  Hunter driving home sees a deer on the side of the road that will die from a car accident.  To end the suffering he puts a bullet in the animal but this was after dark.  ECO arrives and gives a ticket for spotlighting and shooting after dark.  Thrown out of court. 

 

Putting a mortally wounded animal down after dark IMO is an obligation morally.  Might not be legal but my ethics will not let that animal suffer.  These are some examples of how a law can conflict with what is right.  And NO I will not use a knife, no way I am getting that close to a wounded animal and risking my life.

 

After taking his first deer Joe Smoe goes to the DEC check station, after showing the officer where he took the deer, he gets a ticket for baiting due to an apple core that is days old 30 yards from where he was hunting.  Baiting ticket given to this lucky lad.  Officer is just interested in giving out tickets...  Who cares if the apple was 5 days old. 

 

Many of us follow the game laws to the best of our ability and it is real easy for someone on the internet to say I would not have done that but I find that what some say on the internet is vastly different from what they would do in real life.  Sometimes ethics will interfere with the law.  No one is perfect but if you follow the laws to the best of your ability and use good moral ethics you should be ok.  This includes following the sunrise to sunset shooting times, do not drive with a loaded weapon!  (I can not believe how many people get caught doing this!)  Fair chase standards apply, identify your target and place your shot!

 

Not everyone stops perfect for every stop sign, or waits the full 3 seconds at a camera light.  And I do not think their is a single person in the world who is a perfect driver.  We all make mistake, no one is perfect.  Follow the game laws to the best of your ability and be safe with your weapon, your ethics should provide the rest.  Be safe, ID your target and place your shot.  Only hunt with hunters that share your high standard of ethics and kick out any that do not.

 

General NFA camp rules

1)Only smoking in the tent is from the wood burning stove.

2)No loaded fire arms at base camp.

3)No guns, knives or axe(wood chopping) after your first drink or dark which ever comes first.

4)After your first drink you are done hunting for the day, no exceptions.

5)No quads (Lost a member due to him wanting to use a quad on state land where it is illegal.  Told him to find a new camp after he insisted on it.) 

6)If everyone is not back by dark turn on the radio's, that includes me.

7)No politics or religion (No arguments at camp NFA this is suppose to be vacation!)

8)No excessive noise like music, I go up hunting to escape not listen to a concert.

9)Know your target and beyond, place your shot.  Don't shoot at anything white or brown, that is just me with toilet paper finishing up!

10)Don't get lost!!!  Get out of the woods and return home safe so we can do it again next year.  As long as this happens we had a successful trip!

 

26 years of hunting.  One bad accident which was one too many.  Two people banned.  One for improper handling of a fire arm and one for insisting on using a quad on state land.

 

One member was given a warning for taking 3 shots at a running coyote his first year.  After explaining shot placement, backstop and the fact that my partner of 26 years had NEVER taken a shot I think he understood.  But he left the next day, I might have been a little hard on him.  But then again this was the same person who wanted to leave after one day of hunting to get back to his family, hard for me to fathom but I have no kids...

 

Again no one is perfect yet If you follow the law and your moral obligations you should be ok.  Just wish more would follow the moral hunters code of ethics then the laws would be second nature and not needed.  Wish full thinking...

 

 

 

[bubba]

I am not saying that what is being talked about is wrong. I am simply pointing out the possible consequences. I am also not advocating to turn them in. But if you do so and by chance a leo hears and investigates there could be a lot of explaining to is all. Every day we face choices. My luck i would get caught. I got into one of these discussions in the past regarding the legality of having your rifle loaded after legal hunting hours. I was called everything but a human and was threatened. My opinions on these types if subjects come from years as a judge. Me petsonally if you had appeared in front of me in this situation i would dismiss it if you seemed legit. Just also remember that over15 years myself and other judges and leo have heatd it all. I also realize most who act all tough in here if they had to appear for this would be asking for a break. Also with the new unsafe act if charged and convicted of a misdemeanor you risk losing all your guns especially if the crime involved s gun. Just trying to point these things out. Belo lunch break is over. I will answer you later.

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