I hit a buck in the shoulder. It bled some and quit. It ran off and the 4 of is couldn't find a blood trail. We searched till late at night and the next day. I wondered if he didn't die, which we believe is the case, will he and other deer come back through where here was shot?
What are the specs on your bow and how far was the shot? There is a good chance you went through the shoulder and got at least one lung... Also how long did you wait before you chased him down?
Did you find the arrow? How much penetration did you get? Lots more info needed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk www.skyangler.com
Deer are skittish critters but I think they have short memories. They are probably startled several times every day. If they had to abandon every area they have spooked out of they'd have nowhere to go by the time they hit their second year. I think at least the other deer will use the area again. The one you hit may not show up again till much later. Whether the buck survives or not you may never know. If the head didn't enter into the chest cavity I'd bet he makes it. I've seen several bow kills that have had broadheads from old hits encased in some kind of thick tissue that has developed around them and the deer seemed to show no sign they'd ever been hit.
