What are the conditions for the permissibility of eating game that was lost track of after being shot?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
Two conditions must be met for the game to be permissible: First, the hunter must find his arrow in it or find its mark and be certain it is the arrow's mark, as doubt about the existence of the permissible cause invalidates the ruling. Second, the hunter must not find any mark on the game other than his arrow that might suggest another cause of death. This is based on the Prophet's saying: 'unless you find a mark on it other than your arrow.'
Supporting text
If another mark is found, such as that of a predator, it is not permissible, as this introduces uncertainty regarding who caused the death. However, if the mark is insignificant and known not to kill such game (e.g., a small carnivore biting a large animal), it is permissible as it is known that the predator did not cause the death, resembling death by falling.