Do you remove a dead deer in your hunting area?

[Bowhunter57]

I found a dead doe, that had made it approximately 180+ yards from the road, laying 25 yards from my tree stand. She had been hit by a vehicle, from the previous day.

After it became light enough, I watched to see the reaction of the surrounding wildlife. Apparently, she had a pair of fawns, because they were hanging around the area...eating, bedding, etc. Waiting for her to wake up and move on with them. They finally moved on, so I got down out of my tree and I went to get my deer cart. I moved her back up by the road, where she was hit and away from my hunting area. Later that day, the twins were back, hanging around the area. I do NOT want to attract coyotes and other varmints to the area, so the dead doe had to go!

If you find a dead deer in your hunting area, do you remove it or leave it lay?

Thank you, Bowhunter57

 

[brock ratcliff]

I leave em. Coyotes will have them cleaned up and gone within a day or two.

 

[giles]

Yup, leave it. It happens in nature. My bumbling around messing with it creates a much bigger hazard to the local wildlife. Coyotes might not eat it now that a human touched it.

 

[5Cent]

I also leave em be, same with gut piles from ones I have harvested. They don't last long and gives me something to watch during the slow hunts lol

 

[Chass]

I'd leave it. Dragging it back by the road is possibly the worst. The fawns are gonna head right back up by the road and have a much higher chance at getting hit. Same with coyotes and whatever other critters come to feed off it. Some states where it's legal to pick up roadkill, it's illegal to leave the gut pile there for that same reason.

 

[Redhunter1012]

Those fawns will anchor down there and give you a chance later on if you so choose. But I wouldn't touch it

 

[CJD3]

I’ve always left em.
Gut piles last even less time.
It’s all to common in the woods.

 

[Bowhunter57]

Interesting replies in favor of leaving it.

As for the coyotes not touching it due to being handled...coyotes aren't going to pass up a free meal. There's a lot more human scent around a kill sight, than where this doe fell dead and that don't stop them.

I used leather gloves and a deer cart for two reasons. The gloves because the doe was a mess from her death throws, while dying. The other reason was I didn't want a scent trail for the fawns to follow and I dropped the carcass in a water way that was a good 60+ yards from the road. I gave thought to what other varmints might find the carcass and cause more road hazards, as well as the fawns finding it...which I don't think is going to happen.

I seen the twins (doe and button buck), again this morning. They're still circling the original place of death and not showing any signs of venturing off.

Thank you for the replies, so far.
Bowhunter57

 

[Hortontoter]

I'd leave it lay and let nature take its course.

 

[Chass]

Interesting replies in favor of leaving it.

As for the coyotes not touching it due to being handled...coyotes aren't going to pass up a free meal. There's a lot more human scent around a kill sight, than where this doe fell dead and that don't stop them.

I used leather gloves and a deer cart for two reasons. The gloves because the doe was a mess from her death throws, while dying. The other reason was I didn't want a scent trail for the fawns to follow and I dropped the carcass in a water way that was a good 60+ yards from the road. I gave thought to what other varmints might find the carcass and cause more road hazards, as well as the fawns finding it...which I don't think is going to happen.

I seen the twins (doe and button buck), again this morning. They're still circling the original place of death and not showing any signs of venturing off.

Thank you for the replies, so far.
Bowhunter57

That one is giving you the stink eye, "did you kill me mum?!?!"