Ethical use of deer

I'm just interested to see what peoples views are on this.

For me I consider deer to be a far superior animal than any other and I respect them more than I do a lot of people I know! Whenever I shoot an animal I feel fine feeding it to dogs as dog tucker and I go out some days just to smack a roo, hare, rabbit or sometimes one of the old mans crippled sheep for dog meat and it doesn't bother me. But would anyone shoot a deer purely for dog tucker?
I'm thinking about it but I already feel too guilty as I hate feeling as though I'm wasting them.
Interested to hear peoples thoughts.

BH

My dogs only get the bones !
So if you feed venison to the dogs do you buy yourself dog roll for tea?:D

mmm dog roll!

I should add a farmer has asked HH2 and I to shoot a couple he wants gone but we both have chocka block freezers. I'd at least take the undercut and backstraps for myself though

My hound gets the bones, any skin (loves it) and all the trimmings.

I have to carry deer far to far to be feeding to the dog and I like it too much to be sharing, well with the dog anyways!

Cheers

Dino

Yes, every now and then if we are short of dog tucker at the farm we will shoot a deer to feed them. Take the best cuts for ourselves and dogs get the rest. Never less than 15 working dogs take a lot of feeding, they are an expensive asset to the farm and deserve it on occasion. We can also afford to when we have managed the wild deer numbers to be at a level where this is sustainable.

Its only a deer just like any animal. I only rate them higher because theres not as many.

I think no animal should go to waste. Dogs need to eat just the same as we do. The only difference is they don't care if it's a tough old billy goat or a premium deer yearling and we do. Would be a shame to give such beautiful meat as backsteaks to the dogs, but a deer is no more living than an old billy, so it's equally as important not to waste either.

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Originally Posted by phillipgr

I think no animal should go to waste. Dogs need to eat just the same as we do. The only difference is they don't care if it's a tough old billy goat or a premium deer yearling and we do. Would be a shame to give such beautiful meat as backsteaks to the dogs, but a deer is no more living than an old billy, so it's life ought not to be wasted just the same.

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Funny you should say that, I've seen many huntaways turn their nose up at a feed of billy goat :D

Got a local rsa you could donate it to?

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Originally Posted by JoshC

Funny you should say that, I've seen many huntaways turn their nose up at a feed of billy goat :D

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Get a lab hahaha

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My answer to your question is "NO".

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Originally Posted by Bavarian_Hunter

mmm dog roll!

I should add a farmer has asked HH2 and I to shoot a couple he wants gone but we both have chocka block freezers. I'd at least take the undercut and backstraps for myself though

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I give alot away to freinds and family,also payed a guy to paint my house with veni.
Plenty of uses/barter value for it (remember that prime cuts(here at least) run 50-60 bucks a kilo in the supermarket if it is there at all!)

Rather than feed your dogs there must be someone to donate to? I gave a heap of prime steak to the rest home my grandma was staying in before she died. Also periodically donate to a church that provides free cooked lunches to down and outers, I litterally lived off those lunches for 6 months way back and its good to give back.

Even if you have no freinds or family who need or like venison Im sure you can think of a worthy cause and do the right thing;)

in my mind it really depends on the deer species and the abundance of animals, I wouldn't shoot a Fallow deer for dog food but have shot Sambar specifically as dog food. At the end of the day if you need to feed dogs and you don't have the ability to feed them with your food of choice you get them what ever you can.

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Originally Posted by lostlegend

in my mind it really depends on the deer species and the abundance of animals, I wouldn't shoot a Fallow deer for dog food but have shot Sambar specifically as dog food. At the end of the day if you need to feed dogs and you don't have the ability to feed them with your food of choice you get them what ever you can.

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I agree, own dogs then you have a responsibility to keep them fed.
I dont know BHs circumstances but the way it read is not that his dogs are starving but his freezer is full.
yep mine have eaten steak out of the freezer on occasion when there was no dog tucker and no money. have also swapped it to a mate for any freezer burnt shit in his freezer for the dogs cos it broke my heart to see them eating prime steak and the effort that went into getting it.

What the heck, is there not a newbie in your area that needs putting onto their first deer?

Many hungry mouths around, I know of another good friend of mine who meat hunts for poorer families. How would that be to go from eating baked beans three meals a day to having some prime venison. Smack it over I say, you'll find a freezer!

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Originally Posted by Dougie

What the heck, is there not a newbie in your area that needs putting onto their first deer?

Many hungry mouths around, I know of another good friend of mine who meat hunts for poorer families. How would that be to go from eating baked beans three meals a day to having some prime venison. Smack it over I say, you'll find a freezer!

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Excellent Post,I couldn't agree more:thumbsup:

Am a newbie and I read all posts in here.. of all that is written up here in this post I wish just to sight a deer leave alone shootin it.. have been following advice and whatever i learn from fellow experienced hunters through their posts and just hoping that I will strike one soon.. and when I do get my first deer, even the bones are not going to anyone...

Looking for that one mate to take me up to shoot just a deer even if that is going blind folded so that I dont revile their SPOT X..

My grandfather brought me up that if I shoot it - I eat it !!!
Simple rule really ... but sometimes I end up with a little too much in the freezer so I give it to clients, family and friends as gifts and they always appreciate some wild venison, pork, duck, etc. I also get it made into salmi's, patties and sausages.
I think it portrays hunters as good guys so spread the word and share the love!
Keep safe in the hills.

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Originally Posted by initiaz

Am a newbie and I read all posts in here.. of all that is written up here in this post I wish just to sight a deer leave alone shootin it.. have been following advice and whatever i learn from fellow experienced hunters through their posts and just hoping that I will strike one soon.. and when I do get my first deer, even the bones are not going to anyone...

Looking for that one mate to take me up to shoot just a deer even if that is going blind folded so that I dont revile their SPOT X..

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If you were a bit closer if have my problem solved! Someone will take you out mate. Just get to know a few people and contribute they're a nice bunch here

I think its fine to give dogs deer meat. Mans best friend and all. Wouldn't go out to shoot deer for that sole purpose though. Work too hard for it myself!

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I think as long as you don't waste it... most important thing is not to kill anything without a good reason I reckon. Good to see a most people don't like seeing animals go to waste and either giving the meat away or keeping the good cuts and lesser cuts for the dogs etc etc

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Originally Posted by JoshC

Yes, every now and then if we are short of dog tucker at the farm we will shoot a deer to feed them. Take the best cuts for ourselves and dogs get the rest. Never less than 15 working dogs take a lot of feeding, they are an expensive asset to the farm and deserve it on occasion. We can also afford to when we have managed the wild deer numbers to be at a level where this is sustainable.

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Do you need any help with such a thankless task?:thumbsup:

With the cost of hunting over here, the dogs are damn lucky to get a bone to chew on.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

My dog eats Royal Canin biscuits. I eat the Venison.

Know the freezer space issue though, ours is level with the top. The stuff at the bottom might as well not exist.

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When it gets to that stage you get someone to paint your house;)

I look at it this way. The dog is part of the team so she gets some of the spoils. When she`s fed Venison at least I know whats in it not like the Dog roll`s from the super market. Luckerly I shoot enough that the dog eating deer isn`t an issue and its alot more interesting than buying dogroll.
We are also fortunate to raise our own cattle for the freezer so venison is an added extra.