Back in Florida. Now sitting at the house thinking about the doe I shot that I did not recover before dark. It will be 28 degrees in the morning here in NW Florida so not worried about meat spoiling. So I put together a quick ground blind on a last minute afternoon hunt at the lease about 15 minutes from the house. After 30 minutes wind changed 180 degrees so I just went to the opposite side of the trail and stood behind a bush. About 430PM I see two does coming...first one broadside at 25. Put the 20 yrd pin on her and let fly. She runs off with other doe. I look for blood and found a drop right where she was standing and some blood about 7 yards on the opposite side I shot her (looked like a little hair as well, but no arrow and I did not see arrow sticking out as she ran either. No other blood I could find before too dark. No friends around to help tonight. Will try the recovery in the morning. My plan worked, but for the second time in 10 days I shot a deer just before dark and have not made recovery. REALLY down on hunting with bow right now. Have never had to track a deer or lost a deer I've shot with a rifle. I must admit it is quite a rush to have to get so close to get a shot, but I don't think I can handle any more non-recoveries. If I don't find this deer there maybe a bow for sale cheap.
If you're in the game long enough it's bound to happen, and it does suck. But don't give up! What's the story on the buck in your avatar?
He's my inspiration. Taken off property next to mine in Kansas, rifle. Except for one extra point on right he is almost a perfectly symmetrical 10 point. 172 gross B&C, mid 160's net. There is a 186 gross non-typical next to him on the wall, same property and a 205 non-typical was taken from the property next to mine last year. KS archery hunt was a bust, but may go back in early Dec for another try. Looking for a monster. Won't release on a buck less than 140 on my KS property.
Well, 2 hours on hands and knees in the brush following drops of blood results in another lost deer! I'm frustrated, I'm angry at myself and I'm think I'm done bowhunting. There is no way I can justify two wounded deer in 2 weeks.
