Chances are with description and update you won't bump him unless he's gonna live. I think dead deer personally
Ty, you don't think it could be a meat shot deer, or hit in between the fur and the meat, or even the arrow broke into more pieces?
There's not many places on a downward frontal shot to get a meat hit without exiting. Granted you are shooting only 45lbs, but at 20yds that should still be plenty. It aounds like you held on him for awhile, were you pretty steady? Where did you have your pin focused, dead center, neck etc.?
I was steady, and I didn't hold too long, but overall what do u guys think, and where would you go from here
if you dont hit bone or shoulders hes prob dead or atleast single lung.. use a tracking dog.. they are awesome.. i used one earliest this year $100 and the dog worked beautifully.
You have two options. Grid search 20 acres or go to that link and call a couple of the trackers amd see who can make it to you tomorrow. I've never used one, but they list themselves because they take pride in their dogs. They usually don't charge but tips for gas and such are usually given. I'd love to watch a dog work, heck, give a couple a call now. What will it hurt to ask?
A story for a little hope from my neck of the woods.... http://www.arizonahuntingforums.com/threads/first-mule-deer-with-a-bow.13314/
You keep asking if people think it was just meat. It seems like you want people to say the deer probably lived so you can quit looking and move on. That's just what it sounds like to me and I feel like you need to do some more research on tracking and put in a ton of effort tomorrow.
I have no doubt that is a dead deer...get the dogs and his rack will be in your hand....you have to go on their schedule, so be ready to go tonight...
I agree, sounds like you're looking for reasons to give up. So far you took a poor shot and have put in little effort on the recovery, time to think about what you're doing.
Also if he left the small woodlot and ran into this preserve (you mentioned) get in touch with your local DNR, no DNR will stop you from trying to recover a deer from any kind of preserve and may join you even!
The PD Would immediately notify the DNR, So Call the DNR, ask if they have seen it, if not ask to track around the preserve, Goodluck!
This is a crazy thread? There has been some outstanding info given to you man, $100 for a tracking dog is a no brainier. I personally shot the biggest deer of my life last year good shot placement and I looked for hours no blood not one drop, come to find out the deer ran 50 yards into a field and I was within 10ft of him the night before (I found him the next morning).There is no reason to give up depending on the angle there may not be much blood but you owe it to the deer to not only own up to your mistake (like you already have) but get you ars out there and look for the animal or spend the small amount of money to get a dog, I personally feel like that's the least you could do given the situation.....and I'm not trying to bash you had no intention on it after I read your OP but now I feel like I can't help but say something?
Absolutely not. I'm not going to stop looking, until there is no doubt that he lived. Strange observation...
