Is it legal or ethical to dispatch wounded game with a knife?
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Never thought about it much during gun season. I always carry a side arm just in case the first shot does not do the job. I have never thought about it being a problem using it after dark, if it was to end the animals suffering. Where I grew up the game warden would be much harder on you for not finding and dispatching a wounded animal.
Cheapshooter
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I know this question comes from an earlier, ill advised post about an archery kill poorly, and illegally completed.
Now my question for you. WHY NOT ANOTHER ARCHERY SHOT? If you are close enough for pistol, knife, or rock, why not another arrow?
This sort of begs the question: if the government is going so far as to regulate knives as finishing implements... are you allowed to hunt small game with throwing knives? What about shurikens? Or a slingshot?
Where does the regulatory madness stop?
If David could kill Goliath with a sling, I'm pretty sure someone with practice could kill a deer with one. Would the game wardens complain?
Where does the regulatory madness stop?
If David could kill Goliath with a sling, I'm pretty sure someone with practice could kill a deer with one. Would the game wardens complain?
I'm not sure what the laws are on Oklahoma... but it's NOT legal in Texas to kill a deer with a knife.
of course, I've finished off deer with a knife on the throat. I'm not going to sit there and watch an animal suffer needlesly. There was actually a case of a game warden confiscating a deer that was shot on an army base in texas, because it was "killed" i.e "finished" with a knife. Total BS in my opinion, but you have some of these game wardens with a corncob buried deep, and just look for a reason to jack with people.
of course, I've finished off deer with a knife on the throat. I'm not going to sit there and watch an animal suffer needlesly. There was actually a case of a game warden confiscating a deer that was shot on an army base in texas, because it was "killed" i.e "finished" with a knife. Total BS in my opinion, but you have some of these game wardens with a corncob buried deep, and just look for a reason to jack with people.
All states cover "method of take" as well as legal weapons in the hunting regulations. Good reading, BTW.
It would be a lot easier to believe a knife to dispatch a wounded deer than a firearm during bow season, otherwise every Bubba in the state would carry a handgun to "finish off" his deer. And a spotlight, too, because they were looking for him at night, Mr Warden.
It would be a lot easier to believe a knife to dispatch a wounded deer than a firearm during bow season, otherwise every Bubba in the state would carry a handgun to "finish off" his deer. And a spotlight, too, because they were looking for him at night, Mr Warden.
bamaranger
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spear
I belonged to a bow hunt only club for a few years and we had a spear (I kid you not) for following deer at night. The logic was, you could not shoot it again w/ your bow after hours, and approaching and doing the deed w/ a knife could get tricky, so you stuck the animal from a slight distance w/ the spear. It got carried a bunch, but I never was with a tracking job on that lease, that didn't find a dead deer already, at the end.
"course Alabama now declares a spear season for deer, so.........I dunno.
I belonged to a bow hunt only club for a few years and we had a spear (I kid you not) for following deer at night. The logic was, you could not shoot it again w/ your bow after hours, and approaching and doing the deed w/ a knife could get tricky, so you stuck the animal from a slight distance w/ the spear. It got carried a bunch, but I never was with a tracking job on that lease, that didn't find a dead deer already, at the end.
"course Alabama now declares a spear season for deer, so.........I dunno.
2damnold4this
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I agree.
2damnold4this
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Good post
2damnold4this
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That would also protect your dogs and fellow hunters that might be struck by a bullet. I don't know if it's strictly legal but it seems like an ethical approach.
2damnold4this
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I don't think a law was broken.
Didn't have a bow at the time. Would you have been ok if a knife was used?
2damnold4this
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That's interesting. I think your choice to end the animal's suffering as quickly as possible is the way to go even if it could result in a confiscated deer.
2damnold4this
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Spear season does sound exciting. I wonder if that means that Bamaranger's former club won't be able to use the spear to dispatch wounded animals after dark anymore.
Rifleman1776
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Interesting question.
As stated, it is a state by state thing.
Where it would be illegal does illustrate the absurdity of many of our laws and regulations.
As stated, it is a state by state thing.
Where it would be illegal does illustrate the absurdity of many of our laws and regulations.
Cheapshooter
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlatl
Here is a very interesting article, including video!
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/09/28/atlatl-fall-season-hunting-legal-missouri/
FrankenMauser
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Every state I've ever hunted in had/has regulations that limit legal weapons to those specifically defined by the state. If the weapon isn't listed, it is illegal to be used on the (live) game animal, in any way. The coup de grâce is no exception.
The only place I've lived, that allowed knives in any form, was Florida -- and that was limited to feral hogs.
I've wanted to hunt with my Altatl for quite some time. But, of course, it isn't a defined weapon in the states I hunt.
If you know how to use it, it's a better weapon than a bow. (More energy, more range, more internal damage if it doesn't pass clean through.)
But, I am a cheater. I have Eaton Aluminum shafts for my Atlatl darts.
......
2damnold4this
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Some states have specific law addressing dispatching wounded game and some don't seem to address it directly. For example, in North Carolina an archer can use a handgun to dispatch wounded game but it must be a .22 rimfire:
SECTION 1. G.S. 113-291.1 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(k) If a hunter kills or wounds a big game animal during the hunting hours authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the hunter may use a portable light source and a single dog on a leash to assist the hunter in retrieving the dead or wounded big game animal, and may dispatch a wounded big game animal using only a .22-caliber rimfire pistol, archery equipment, or a handgun otherwise legal for that hunting season. Pursuit and retrieval under this subsection may occur between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and 11:00 p.m. if necessary, but such pursuit and retrieval may not be accomplished using a motorized vehicle.
It doesn't look like a hunter can use a knife in North Carolina to dispatch a big game animal.
SECTION 1. G.S. 113-291.1 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(k) If a hunter kills or wounds a big game animal during the hunting hours authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the hunter may use a portable light source and a single dog on a leash to assist the hunter in retrieving the dead or wounded big game animal, and may dispatch a wounded big game animal using only a .22-caliber rimfire pistol, archery equipment, or a handgun otherwise legal for that hunting season. Pursuit and retrieval under this subsection may occur between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and 11:00 p.m. if necessary, but such pursuit and retrieval may not be accomplished using a motorized vehicle.
It doesn't look like a hunter can use a knife in North Carolina to dispatch a big game animal.
Cheapshooter
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Sounds like your poacher friend chose NOT to have a bow with him!!!
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