Is it legal to shoot a mortally wounded deer?

**Jim8300** · January 21st, 2024, 03:09 PM

Even with dispatching the wounded deer being illegal, some people take a chance and do it anyway.

About 6-7 years ago, I came upon stopped traffic on Old Bethlehem Pike outside of Quakertown. Waiting about 3-4 cars behind, a guy just shot the deer with what sounded like a 9mm and left the carcass off the shoulder. No one said a word, just moved on when it was taken care of.

**bortle** · January 31st, 2024, 04:17 PM

Some people say "it's only illegal if you get caught"
Any suffering animal should be put down as quickly and safely as possible.

**Spaceballs** · February 1st, 2024, 02:34 PM

You have to know where you are and balance the ethical obligation to putting a wounded animal down vs the real possibility of you going to jail over it

I was in Maryland and saw a mortally wounded deer in a residential neighborhood once. If I had dispatched the deer with a firearm they would have activated the National Guard and created a joint task force to hunt me down and prosecute me for wreckless discharge and animal cruelty and anything else they could think of (exaggeration.... but just barely)

The 15 extra minutes the deer suffered sucks, but it's not worth becoming a felon over

If I was out on a country road and saw the same thing....especially in PA... the deer's suffering ends quickly.

**bortle** · February 1st, 2024, 04:11 PM

At the risk of sounding morbid I've seen a deer killed with a ball peen hammer. Another with a tire iron. Hammer worked better.

**OwnTheRide** · February 6th, 2024, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by bortle

At the risk of sounding morbid I've seen a deer killed with a ball peen hammer. Another with a tire iron. Hammer worked better.

That sounds like one of the better options, at least legally speaking. Limits potential charges to animal cruelty or whatever similar stupidity the LEO can come up with. Best to avoid gun charges at all costs.

**Steve in PA** · February 6th, 2024, 05:37 PM

I don*t recall if I*ve responded to this thread before, but this is my opinion.

As a LEO, I*m allowed to put down an injured deer. As a non-LEO, that person is not allowed to put down an injured deer. However, if the non-LEO does it safely and without endangering persons or property before I get there, they will not have any issues or repercussions from me. I do not want to see an animal suffering on the side of the road.

In the last week, my department has put down several deer that were still alive, but gravely injured.