Sitting in a tree in Kentucky right now. About 30 minutes ago a group of does walked out of the wood edge. I ranged the lead doe at 26 yards. I glanced down and adjusted my dial to 26, clipped on and drew. I stopped her, settled and released. The arrow hit her farther back than I wanted, but what I'm most worried about is that I shot low. The impact point looked to be about 5 inches above the bottom of her chest and it was about as far back as the diaphragm. I can see hair from the stand and the hair is 30 yards away. I screwed that part up. She had gotten farther out since I ranged her. I just screwed up. She ran behind a treetop as I mocked another arrow. Then she walked hunched up back across at 70 yards. I took a follow-up shot but I'm positive missed because I had to duck and lean to take that shot. I'm going to sit here for at least one more hour then get down and sneak out of here. I don't think I got guts since she was quartering away a little. If anyone isn't hunting, what do you think? Wait 6, 8 or 10 hours?
A couple other things that matter: I'm shooting Slick Tricks and I'm 30' high. That las part is important.
If I was hunting here it would be in shorts and a t-shrit. WARM here!! Unfortunately. I'd wait as long as you can. Did you see any blood by the hair? Is there rain in the forecast for today or toinght? What is the temp?
It's 51 degrees now but the forecast high is 71. I'm afraid waiting until dark would ruin the deer. I haven't gotten down to look At the arrow yet and since I'm colorblind I can't see blood from up here.
Been there done that. I can't stand to wound an animal. I begin to worry how bad they feel, yes I get emotional, I wasn't this way until we had children. I know this don't make it any better but this happens occasionally.
**** happens my friend. Gut shots are lethal hits. Treated right you'll get them 99% of the time. Even if its just liver a person still has to let them be. I've had liver shot deer live over 12 hours before (no lie). You'll be fine.
I went ahead and got down and checked the arrow. It has a thin film of blood and smells fine. No guts. I didn't see any blood on the ground but that doesn't mean a thing. I could be standing in blood and not see it in the daylight. I'll get my brother to come over and check the site. Oh, and I can't find my follow-up arrow.
Definitely need to inspect the arrow. Didn't know you had got down or I wouldn't have said to look at the arrow.