Wounded deer are banished from the herd. My guess is that deer do not want a wounded deer around attracting predetors. This is just my personal observation. Not backed up by science but years of deer hunting.

I hunt with a hunting club in northeastern SC and last year we killed more deer than usual with your sort of problem. From what we can tell most are a result of still hunters or hunters in general that miss their shot and don't kill the deer. We killed one deer where the shot was still in her and part of her leg was missing and permanently stiff. Another one we killed it looked as if a car had hit it. It is a shame more and more deer are coming up like this. They are in misery and more importantly we can't use the meat because they are so infected from their injuries. I ask that all hunters do your part in helping us control this problem, DON'T take unnecessary shots and shots that you know aren't going to kill them clean. Be a good sportsman and only take kill shots in vital areas (head and neck and back are most effecient). It is a shame that more deer are coming up like this and we can avoid it just by being responsible.

Ditto! BTW Shane where did you read any statistics that still hunters make bad shots and are responsible for most wounded deer? I am a still hunter in that I usually hunt from a climber tree stand and I have never wounded a deer.
I did shoot one large doe who had no right rear foot. The wound had healed so neatly that the hide and fur completely covered the end of her leg. She was running when I first saw her and I shot her when she stopped. I didn't notice the old injury until I was unloading her at camp. She sure was fast for a three footed deer!

Yes. All still hunter make bad shots. They are responsible for most wounded deer...

The hind leg injuries could be from bad shots, but probably have a lot to do with cars.

Deer are pretty smart and a crippled deer knows that another crippled deer is the best deer to hang with. They both have the higher sense of alertness necessary to survive with their "disability". I think the thing about bringing a slower friend with you to bear country applies here too.

Good post Liberty First!

I hunt Virginia but I'm in the northwestern portion. We do not allow dogs in my county or any neighboring counties. We do however have bear dogs loosed quite often and they are the most annoying damn things ever! I feel for you if that's what you have to sit and listen to while you hunt. I feel worse for the deer though. I have seen those bear dogs running deer so hard the deer looked all but dead on its feet! Kinda makes ya wanna shoot a dog sometimes. I never would shoot some idiots dog but dogs have no place in deer hunting, period.

There are many ways the deer could be hurt.. bad shot on the deer. hit by car. fighting during rut. sicknesses that go through animals. being attacked by something. can fall and break leg.

Shane, That's sort of a cold thought!

Big O got it right!

I see wounded deer in areas where there is not hunting, most likely do to collisions with vehicles. I have also talked with hunters who have taken a poor shot, then finished up the job, demonstrating that had they not gotten a second shot off, there would be an injured deer hobbling around.

There are many ways the deer could be hurt.. bad shot on the deer. hit by car. fighting during rut. sicknesses that go through animals. being attacked by something. can fall and break leg.