Not a good shot to take even if your draw weight isn't 45 pounds. Not berating the OP but I think antler size had a lot to do with agreeing to the risk of a head on shot. We all make mistakes it is what you do after the mistake that makes the difference.
Maybe if you're on the ground, but a treestand? Not so much. To the OP.. Are you sure you even hit the deer? Did you glass the shot area for blood or arrows? Immediately after the shot, take in as much information as you can. It might even be good to type it into your phone because it's amazing what you will forget during the moment.
Hang in there. We've all made mistakes. Take your time and take your bow with you. Like said earlier. You may take a friend with you. Good luck and keep us posted.
Did you look for your arrow or blood at point of impact? Are you sure you hit him? And lastly, did you try to track him before backing out and coming here for help?
Okay guys we found my arrow 175 yards from where I shot him broke off. I did the measurements compared to my other arrow, and I got 21 inches of penetration. Is there anyway this was a meat hit, and we'll never find him? We found the arrow by chance. Not a speck of blood except on the arrow. NOT A SPECK. Once we found the arrow we backed out. Thoughts?
Not to rain on your parade but just because you have 21 in of arrow missing doesnt mean its all in the deer.. could have broke off well outside the deer. How was the blood on the ground?
Sure there's a chance you won't find him but with that much penetration and a busted arrow, I'd say it's worth some major effort and time looking for him. If the arrow didn't create an exit wound and the entry was angled down and back, you may not find any blood to speak of. A tracking dog would be the easiest and fastest way, otherwise grid searching is your other option.
I know if there is that much broke off doesn't mean it's all in him, but there is blood half way up the busted arrow. Could this be a meat hit?
No clue.. Illinois it is legal to use dogs.. I would look into that if you dont have a trail you can follow.
Put a picture of the arrow and the blood on it in decent lighting. We will be able to guess better then.
21" of missing arrow, blood most of the way up the shaft. There is blood somewhere other than that arrow. Look high, not just on the ground. Either that arrow was bouncing around creating all that blood on the arrow or it started working it's way out before being snapped. From your original post "He ran 45 yards and stopped for 10 seconds, and then trotted off." From your update " Okay guys we found my arrow 175 yards from where I shot him broke off." With that information start your grid search at that arrow. I would guess, if I were tracking, that buck took off on his death run shortly before that arrow snapped. What was the terrain like where you found that arrow? What kind of broadhead was bouncing around inside him? Search, search, search. I'd be optimistic at this point
I hunt the suburbs, and there is only 20 acres of woods that he could be in, before it turns into backyards, across the street, in the forest preserve etc. I'm very very disappointed. They seem very doubtful and they think I meat hit I'm.
I believe unless you hit him very low or off to one side that is a dead deer. I would strongly suggest you get a tracking dog asap. I wouldn't give up until I searched ever square inch of that woods.
