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Coyotes get there first?

Crimson Arrows

Crimson Arrows

Well-Known Member
So I filled an anterless tag in Iowa last night and although I saw the arrow enter perfectly, the arrow said different when I retrieved it at dark. Smelled like a gut shot with little blood, and I played it back in my mind over and over but still the evidence doesn't lie. I stick to my rules, even though I had to drive three extra hours but left it alone for 12 hrs and came back this morning.

I used a slick trick (great head!) and found no blood although there is always "some" somewhere. Found her less than 60 yards away and it was obvious she had died running, most likely in seconds after the shot. Unfortunately, the yotes got there first and took alot of her back side and into the entry hole. Arrow must have glanced off a rib and angled slighlty back. I am bummed as I have never had a animal get there first(been lucky) so am curious what you all have for opinions and whether you don't eat these animals after harvest if they have had coyotes etc on them?

Also, why? Is there any scientific or toxicological basis in which it ruins the meat. She is tagged and called into the DNR, now just a question if one eats it or chalks it up to bad luck? Is it a poor decision to process her? Feel bad about it.
 
I had one years ago that I left for three hours tryin to find someone to help drag her out. She had part of her hams eaten off. I still had her processed for consumption and cosnume I did. I'm still alive, but that may explain some things. I've had one more that I left overnight and there wasn't enough left to process. The difference between yours and mine is the time it was down and how much it was chewed on. Take it to the locker and see what they say unless you process your own then I got no clue.

The 'Bonker
 
Personally, I don't care to eat them after they've been left overnight even if the yotes DON'T find them. Especially if they've been gut shot. I'd chalk it up to bad luck and leave it at that.
 
Keep in mind that the saliva of a coyote has a natural ability to break down organic matter. Just like us, it's the first step in digestion. Not trying to insult your intelligence, just reminding you!
 
yep right along the lines of what Dannyboy said...check out this months issue of Outdoor life, there's an article about natural toxins. one is on dog&cat saliva.

I wouldn't eat it.

Where did she fall that you couldn't hear her "crash" only 60yds from the shot? If you would've heard her crash maybe you could've let your guard down on your rules of what the arrow evidence said...maybe not, IDK.
 
No thanks!

Plenty of deer to be eaten that have been killed during perfect conditions.

Feel good about? No, but that the way it goes unfortunately sometimes.
 
What does the DNR say about leaving game lay? Isn't there some kinda "wanton waste" rule?

I'm not sayin you should eat it just be sure you dispose of the carcass corretly, how ever that is.

The 'Bonker
 
Fishbonker said:
What does the DNR say about leaving game lay? Isn't there some kinda "wanton waste" rule?
Click to expand...

I'm hoping that the CO would be understanding of the situation. I think wanton waste kicks in when somebody is just out shooting deer with the intent of letting them rot. If someone is making a good faith effort to recover a deer, only to find that the coyotes have found it and taken a share, I think a CO might agree that you made the attempt to recover it. Intent is hard to prove/disprove.
 
I think that proper carcass disposal is just taking it somewhere that the majority of the public won't encounter it. Like if you take a road killed buck just for the rack you have to transport the carcass away from the scene. Sometimes just simply having permission to dump the remains somewhere is good enough as well.

Knowing a guy who has his very own "dead pile" has its benefits!
 
I have eaten deer left over night with no problems, but i wont eat a deer chewed on by coyotes. never know about those things.....

it happens, the yotys thank you im sure!
 
Call it in for a number just for DNR purposes, cut out the loins if they are intact and let it be. Move it out of your hunting area if you wish. I'd at least salvage the loins tho if they have not been gnawed on.
 
I have eaten several deer that lay overnight. No problems.
Like Bonker, I've also salvaged what I could from a buck I shot that the yotes got first. I saved the straps and front quarters. If the yotes hadn't eaten on it, I saved it and would do so again.
 
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