I saw my #1 hitlist buck this evening. The biggest deer I have ever seen bowhunting, only 7 yds from my stand. I had my buddy video taping and it seemed like the perfect situation. But I rushed the shot.... I did everything wrong, shot at him quartering to, wasn't patient, everything I know I'm NOT supposed to do. I was so excited I hit my release too soon. Had I waited this post would have surely included pictures. We went out tonight and tried to find my lighted nock and didn't find anything. No arrow, no blood....nothin. What do you guys think? Is there any way this deer is dead? The video looked farther than the shot actually was. The first row of cut is 16 yards. Im estimating him at 7 or 8 yards away, so the arrow was angled down quite a bit..
If that shot was below the spine its a dead deer. It looked like you got decent penetration with no exit. I'm assuming a big mechanical? That shot was high but behind the shoulder blade. I'm suprised it didn't spine him. I'd get out there first light and start where he left the field. A dog would be a big help. Good luck. Oh...and by the way...there is no void.
I really appreciate the positive comments, I'm feeling pretty down right now.. But What do you mean by "there is no void"?
I'd say there's a better than average chance he's dead. It looks like it may have hit shoulder to me but it's not far through that blade. Probably nothing but internal bleeding as high as the shot was with no far side puncture. Good luck in the morning, that's a nice deer!
But What do you mean by "there is no void"? Some folks advocate that there is a non-vital area between the top of the lungs and the spine. I was just making light of that belief. The spine does come down lower in the body than one might think and many "void" shots are simply in the backstrap above the spine. I agree that a high hit with no exit can leave very little blood on the ground. Again, if that was below the spine you got both lungs and should find that deer within 125 yards.
Hope you find him. I'm gonna say that he's down somewhere. Yea, probably should have been more patient but it looked like it hit good. Keep us informed!
That deer is dead and if you didnt push him I am confident you will find him. Sharp angle with no pass through will make the blood trail tough to follow. I am hoping he ran off to the nearest area of thick cover and bedded down.
Really appreciate the offer! We're headed out now and I think we're a little far away. I'm in Manitowoc county.
Yeah thats a haul. Good luck man. Last weekend my buck did the same thing. No bllod anywhere. He was dead 60 yards away. You will find him!
Good luck on the search, I agree he's a dead deer but going to probably be a tough track job. I'd look into dogs if available.
That buck is dead. I'd say its gonna be a tough track job though. I have a feeling you are gonna have to grid search to find that deer. Good luck and hope you find him right away.
I shot an eight point last year... some of you may remember the story. This is why I had no blood. He was dead 100 yards away.
Too hard to tell exactly where it's hit, though it looks like high shoulder and about 3-4" of penetration. 50/50 on him actually being dead. Good luck this morning.
