Two fold question,
Who’s land?
And how was the first illegal buck handled?
A third one, did he grab a shovel, go for a walk back, dig a hole and bury a deer without anyone noticing or just throw some sticks and brush over it?
Story seems fishy;
While making a drive how does one guy fire a weapon,kill a deer, find the deer, bury the Deer and only 2 of 14 know about it?
If True;
Everyone who knows about it and did nothing about it is as guilty as the guy who pulled the trigger.
To answer your question; No, driving deer is not considered hunting, let alone ethical.
To answer your question; No, driving deer is not considered hunting, let alone ethical.
It cant be unethical because its legal. Of course its hunting.
To answer your question; No, driving deer is not considered hunting, let alone ethical.
I would argue the first point, as the state defines “taking” of deer and explicitly points out drives…But I guess your opinion supersedes the states ruling. 
Not arguing if it’s ethical or not, but it IS hunting according to the MN reg book…”The term “take” includes attempting to take deer, deer drives or
otherwise assisting another person in taking deer.”
Back on track, keep calling the DNR until the person responsible is brought to justice and never allow them to hunt with you again. I do not care whether it’s your brother or sister, it’s still illegal and you have a moral responsibility knowing it happened with you present.
I’m a man, I don’t need to “drive” deer 
If you and your group consider yourselves ethical hunters and sportsmen, I’m not even sure why you need to ask the question? Depending on the circumstances of the first time this happened, I’d consider giving him a second chance. After the fist time, there are no excuses. Zero tolerance.
I also call BS the guy drove back down there and “couldn’t find it”. How convenient.
Lastly, could you clarify exactly how you guys are party hunting with a deer drive and someone managed to shoot a deer, find it and subsequently bury it without anyone else having any idea this was going on? Seems pretty unbelievable to me that questions weren’t getting asked after someone heard a gunshot (s).
It’s a tough situation to be in and I’m sorry that you find yourself there. It’s always difficult when you have to have on your mind a mess created by someone else.
To strictly answer your question of “What would you do?”, I’d say:
1. Make it very clear to this person that his actions were legally and ethically wrong. So often this goes unsaid so the offender is left to “excuse himself”, ie nobody said anything so maybe it’s not THAT bad, etc. It IS that bad.
2. I get that this is a friend so let’s assume you don’t want to cut ties over this incident. In that case, I’d tell him something like: “Bob, we’ve been friends a long time and I believe you’re a good guy, but to be honest your hunting skills and ethics aren’t cutting it with me. As far as I’m concerned, we’re still friends, but we won’t be hunting together again.”
Assuming it happened on my farm or on a hunt on another’s private land where I have the relationship with the landowner, I’d add in no uncertain terms that he is no longer welcome on my property or in my hunting party.
3. I would tell others in my party exactly what I told the offender. IE what he did was wrong and (if applicable) that he’s no longer welcome to hunt on my property or in my party.
I understand things can get much more complicated when the issue of who “controls” the land and/or hunting party are not clear or are distributed among several individuals. For example, the farm is Uncle Norbert’s, but Cousin Dave is the one who arranges the hunt, etc. In that case, I’d seek a clear, “out loud” group consensus on what the actions are against the offender. “So we all agree Bob is no longer hunting with us, nor is he welcome to hunt Uncle Norbert’s land at any time …” Make sure everyone in the group who has a say-so buys into the “solution”.
Again, it’s a rough place to be and you’re to be commended for doing the right thing and seeking to show others the path.
Grouse
Turn him in. If you do not see a movement towards him being punished, call again, and again, and follow-up with an e-mail.
If someone truly called the local warden and explained the situation, they would already be out to gather the evidence and prosecute. Unless you do about a 45 person drive spanning a couple miles, it should not be that difficult to go and find the animal’s remains with a buddy or two after the fact. There’s about a .001% chance this thing was buried to the point where you could not see it. I’m guessing buried = thrown in a ravine or covered with a bit of brush. What would he use to dig a hole? Did he carry a spade as a backup weapon on the drive?
Like I explained, I know what’s right. I put this on a forum to show the others in my group to change their mind if they are wavering on a decision. I’m with you all. I don’t want him back and won’t hunt if he come back. Why would the whole party get in trouble? Where we hunt you can party hunt does.
I think if the OP wants to ask a forum this question and stand behind what happened- as sportsmen one of us should call the DNR.
Who wants to?
I think if the OP wants to ask a forum this question and stand behind what happened- as sportsmen one of us should call the DNR.
Who wants to?
He says they (the DNR) were notified…but who knows?
DNR has been notified but has not got back.
But feel free to follow up on that. 
Dont get me wrong, that guy sounds like a real idiot and id never hunt with him again. One mistake one time is one thing, but doing it again and attempting to cover it up is a whole new ball game.
I will say however, doing drives for meat is very difficult with the MN regulations requiring a buck to have 4 points on atleast one side. Theyre very, very tough to count in the short amount of time you have to shoot. **Obviously you always have the option to just not shoot**, but w/o a scope its nearly impossible to tell when a deer is on the run. With antlers, people can a little trigger happy. IMO, deer drives should be avoided as much as this guy we are discussing.
I’d suggest doing away with deer drives in an APR zone unless the group agrees to shoot does only. That’s simply my opinion.
Where we hunt you can party hunt does.
The OP said they were only hunting does, which makes the fact this guy shot a buck even more shocking.
a hunter in our party made a mistake 1 year, when he wound up talking to game warden he lost the trophy deer all meat and 1200 dollar fine. all because of a honest mistake on wording in hand book the man lost his hunting for 1 year, I say honesty is best policy burying is hiding the problem turn it to someones attention and end the problem some have to learn the hard way
Just based on the question, it appears that you already know the answer to the “ethics” question.
You’re an ethical hunter, he is not. That is clear. And you should have no association with him lest you get wrapped up in his silliness. I’m thinking false allegations, etc.. Just steer clear.
This reminds of an episode of Alaska State Troopers where one guy turned in another guy (supposedly his buddy/friend) for shooting an illegal moose and then leave it lay to rot. By the time they got there the meat was spoiled. Unbelieveable. That guy lost his guns, his license and was hit with a $10,000.00 fine!
I’d tell the hunting party either he goes or I go.
Since almost every question has been asked; where is the OP to answer?
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