Hey, folks. Long time no visit. I have a question. I live in the SW Ohio area. I had a buddy call me and tell me he had a deer acting funny and the way he described it, it sounded like it was gut shot. I offered to come and put it out of it's misery. It was walking hunched up, and kind of drug it's rear legs. I stalked up to it and shot it through the neck (I called an LEO and he came with me since it is not gun season. DNR gave me a letter approving the culling of the animal.) As I approached, the buck struggled to his feet. We inspected the animal, and could find no arrow wound. I took it home and cleaned it out (first time using the gloves, as I had an idea something was up.) It was not damaged at all inside, so, it was not hit by a car. All the organs looked clean, and there was no more smell than usual to the guts. DNR inspected it and said it was not the wasting disease, and rabies was unlikely as it was not slobbering. What do you think.
1. What do you think it had?
2. Would you eat it?
Thanks.