Lost Deer

[buckhunter]

This really sucks. I lost a nice fork horn last evening. I'm a ground huner. Last evening I managed to get off a shot at a broadside forkie at about 30 yards. It was interesting because the whole time from spotting it till the shot was a honest 30 minutes. Naturally they new I was there but I kept quite and was hidden behind a a wall of camo cloth. The wind was swirling but some reason they stayed and didn't run off,

He was broadside and just as I let it go he turned a little foward which caused a front shoulder shot. He took off and I new he was hit cause I culd see about a foot of the arror sticking out. I hoped he would fall but not so. It got dark real quick so a blood trail was almost impossible. I did manage to find the broken arrow which was full of blood but no deer. Looked for a couple of hourrs but nothing.

Other than wounding the animal What I hate is that the possiblity exists that this deer fell dead in some liberals back yard, You can bet I'll be back tonight looking but hope will fad quickly. One of my bud's is going to take a look this afternoon, I have to work today or you know where I'd be. Anyway another lesson learned.

[petey]

Sounds like a possible 1-lunger hit to me. They'll typically run around 150 yards (depending on terrain) and lay down. If you didn't take after the track immediatly you're ok...if you did and possibly jumped him, then he may be a bit harder to find.

#1 bad thing to do on a marginal shot is to take after them directly or even 30 minutes after the shot. Sometimes it's best to wait a couple hours if not let him go thru the night. I know it's an easy thing to say, and I only know it from experience. I've taken after deer directly after the shot and jumped him very close and turned an easy retreive into a hard retreive.

Case in point:
I recall a buck I shot once at 8 yards, quartering away from me. I placed the shot directly behind his shoulder, but because of the vertical angle and the quartering angle I only took out one lung. I watched him run 100 yards and just lay down. He layed there with his head up for almost an hour before finally bleeding out. Shot was perfect as far as I was concerned, but I couldn't believe it took him that long to expire.

If you get in on him then jump them, you just doubled or trippled the area you need to cover to find him.

Anyhow, there's no doubt he's dead (as long as it wasn't a high shoulder shot?) You should be able to find him if you didn't push him too much last night. If it was a high shoulder shot, what I refer to "No Man's Land" then you may be out of luck. Cheer up, it happens to all of us one time or another...I have faith you'll find him though if you're looking in the daylight. Good luck!

[buckhunter]

It was a one lunger, I'm sure. I did push him a little quicker than normal because the are I hunt in 25 arcres in the burbs with a few McMansion surronding it. Back side of property is probably 200-300 acres of one of the worst hell holes I have ever seen. My bet he made it to that stuff.

Agree with you it is best to wait. It was getting dark fast and I hoped he would be dead inside the woods. I knew I had to work today so I just took a chance. I'm sure I did not bump him as I would have heard him go ten again I just do not know. Hopefully my bud will find him today. Just wasn't to be.

[jmarriott]

I have a little West Highland Terrier that I have taught to blood trail deer. It is really easy to teach with string and butchers blood.

It comes in handy in just this type of situation.

[buckhunter]

he dog is a great idea. However would a snowball's chance in he?? of getting that past the bride. Didn't find him. Did find blood and all the right stuff. Have to wait till Sat to continue chasing. A few Yotes in that areea so I bet they are eating well.

Still sucks.

[buckhunter]

Yotes ate well. Had him half eaten by Saturday.

My bud hit a six pointer this AM. He said the arrow bounced off his back. I suspect he just nicked him. Said he found a little blood but no deer. Oh well, he'll survive to be shot(or shat at)another day. The bucks are really on the move this week. First cold weather of the fall. Suspect it kicked them in high gear. Will be out Saturday and hopefully the 6 pointer or the big 10 we've seen will be roaming.