Got my first blood this afternoon. Dark got me, but found a decent blood trail. Tracked for about 150 yards, so I am not sure. Just wanted to see what some others thought. Thought I made a decent shot on a pretty decent buck. Looks like it will be a long night, will not sleep.
Could you see exactly where the arrow hit? What did the buck do after you shot him? Hunch over and walk off?
Did not see exactly where it hit, but am pretty sure near the front of the deer. Just took off running. Like I said pretty good blood trail on ground and brush. Went into some pretty thick pines. I killed a doe last year in this same area and took me a bit to find her because it is so thick in there. I hope I got him, I don't like wasting a deer.
The first 2 photos were not that good as it was taken outside in the dark. Does this one look better? Also, there is actually quite a bit of brown hair, I think the flash made it look kind of white. Is is common to have a pass through like that? I am new to bowhunting, but have been hunting for 15 years.
One of my buddies shot at a deer last year. arrow looked exactly like that, and we never found the deer, even after bringing my hunting dog out. my best guess is that it was a front quarter shot. it would explain the hair and the little amount of blood on the arrow, along with all the blood on the ground. leg wounds bleed like crazy, but unless you caught an artery its most likely not a kill shot. I really hope i'm wrong for your sake though!
Honestly, too me, that looks like a dead deer. I bet hes not far from where you stopped searching. Good luck!
I feel you man. Because of my job I am forced to do a lot of evening hunting and my hunting spot is full of brier thickets so tracking is a nightmare for me. If you gave the deer plenty of time before you started tracking and didn't push the deer then there is a good chance that it laid down and expired. As far as your shot goes, I see a lot of whit hair on your arrow which leads me to believe you shot low chest area and that's not good. I hope you find your deer.
Well after a total of about 6 hours tracking between yesterday and today, no deer. Since I can't find him I am hoping just a flesh wound. I will be looking for buzzards this weekend just in case. What a shame.
Also another question, should I hunt the area again this weekend? I have seen a lot of activity in this part of the woods and I am wondering if I didn't get a kill shot if maybe he is still around. I know it will be hard to get him out, being that he was hit, but just wondering if it is worth a shot, or should I hunt somewhere else and leave it alone for a couple of days?
Keep at it, I would hunt the same place. Unfortunatly I have seen deer walking around with arrows sticking out of them. It is a crappy situation but thats bow hunting. I am in the same position tonight, made a good shot and tracked for about 110 yards and backed out. Goodluck hunting.
Looks like a brisket hit. I'm guessing the reason you didn't find him is because he's not dead. However, you might get another shot at him with the rut coming up. I had a deer walk passed me one time that had been shot low and forward a couple days earlier by a hunting buddy of mine. I put one through his liver. That dear had really bad luck!! Good luck man, I hope you get another crack at him!
Me too! I saw another bigger one in the same area Saturday evening. This is the last week for bow and then BP comes in this Saturday. I would like to get him with the bow as I have yet to kill one with the bow. I guess we will have to wait and see.
