My wife, daughters and I were driving down the highway this afternoon. Just off the shoulder of the road, two coon hounds were trying to take down a young doe. 9 year old saw it first and freaked. When I saw what was happening, I pulled over, hit the flashers, jumped out and started down the embankment.
The doe was trying to get up to the road, but her right front leg was useless. When I yelled at the dogs, the blue tick turned from her towards me and started my way. Had the G23 aimed between his eyes without even realizing I'd drawn. Both dogs turned and ran into the woods, stopping about 20 yards in. Dawned on me I was standing beside a highly traveled road, with weapon in hand. Reholstered, called the Sherrifs Dept, and asked for Game Warden. Dispatch gave me his home number. He said he'd be there in 15 minutes.
When he arrived, the doe was still standing about 20 yards off the highway, too scared to go back into the woods, too injured to run. I pointed out the dogs, and the does front leg. He pulled out his binos, looked her over, said it was a bullet wound in her leg, and she was all bit up on her back end. He got out a slug gun, waited for traffic to clear, and put her out of her misery. The dogs took off like they'd been shot.
He asked me if I wanted her, told him no. I asked him if I would of got in trouble if I would of shot the dog. "You'd of been defending yourself, right?"
Would I have got in trouble for putting the deer down? "No, she was injured pretty bad and it might have prevented an accident. Just make sure you call it in right away."
I walked back to my truck, got in and waited for the questions. They never came. I guess the wife was answering any and all questions the girls had as it was unfolding.
My wife asked me if I knew the lady in the car. Asked her "what car?" Said while I was drawing down on the dog, a lady pulled in and told her to tell me thanks for doing something. She'd stopped and yelled at the dogs and blew her horn, but they just ignored her and kept attacking the deer. My wife, bless her heart, told the lady she needs to get a gun. Said the lady just nodded. Maybe another sheeple just woke up.