20 yards quartering away couldnt see the hit May have clipped a limb He bolted with tail tucked Stopped 75 yards away n looked back...tail flickering badly... had blood where he stood...paper plate sized blot With tiny bubs...He walked off slowly...bedded 2x....It was dribbling trail after the big spot Dad n I jumped him 60 yards from first blood...he looked like he was struggling to get through laurels Lost blood where we last saw him Oh...found my arrow...fletching and 2 inches...and the broad head and 2in....no shaft...hit him at 648a lost blood at 9a ...going back in the a.m.
Sounds like first mistake was tracking after not knowing the hit. Been there done that. After reading everything, sounds like you'll have a dead deer in the morning. If he beds that much its not so you can catch up, but because he is in dire condition. Always back out after 1st bed and no later than 2nd. Good luck in the morning, hopefully he left a trackable trail.
It’s easier said than done but if unsure about shot just wait a little longer next time before going in after him. We have all learned the hard way I’m sure, best of luck on your recovery.
that sounds like a dead deer walking. the tail flicks usually indicate a fatal hit but depends what you hit. could be an artery in the leg, back loin etc. they will bleed out but small vessel means time. Just mark off last place of blood and start looking at escape routes that he would take. then you'll find him. I use the little orange construction flags (used for marking off gas lines, elec, etc) to mark off blood locations.
