After waiting all season and passing up 11 smaller bucks I finally get a buck that I would shoot in range and I hit him straight in the gut! Don't know exactly what happened, perfect up and down just too far back. I waited 30 minutes and grabbed my arrow and backed out. No blood on it, all gut. I watched him run about 60 yards, then I saw when he jumped into some real tall crp grass. Lost him after that. I hope he just goes in there and bed downs to die. I backed out real quiet, so hopefully we will find him in the morning. Going in at sunrise, that is just at 12 hours from when I shot him.
I'd guess he is stiff as a board when you go back tomorrow, given nothing bumps him. IF his intestines are severed, it's a dead deer. Usually septicemia sets in and it will die within 8-12 hours, it's a rare occurrence when a deer makes it longer than that.
Backing out was a good call, I think you will have yourself a buck in the morning, can not wait to see some pics on the team thread.
Good luck and please dont leave us hanging on if you find him or not. We would like to know and hope for the best for you.
Amazing the difference in results when people are wise enough to do the right thing ... Congratulations; can't wait to see him!
