Back from NC with a deer in my freezer. Shot a nice doe on my last night.
I'll be honest: This was the first time I felt any mixed emotions about a harvest. Shot her a bit high, spined her. Sat until sundown so as not to mess with my buddy's hunt (he shot a nice buck the same night).
She laid there for 45 minutes or so, then I had to dispatch her with my pistol. Killing through a scope feels very different than killing with a pistol at two feet.
Back to pheasants on Wednesday afternoon, I hope.
I'm going to be honest here... and my opinion may not be popular.
Letting an animal suffer for 45 minutes for the sole purpose of not interfering with your buddy's hunt is bullshit.
You should feel bad.
I'll get off my soapbox now.