Eric if you run out of blood he is probably withing 50 yards of it. Dead lying hunker down in his last bed.
A deer's ability to overcome a traumatic injury/blood loss is mind boggling, I've seen it too many times. I like to be optimistic, but I also like being realistic. Judging by the length of time that has passed, it doesn't sound good. I hate being "that guy". Ridge, please prove me wrong!
Man I’ve got about 20 pages to catch up on. Good luck Ridge! I spent the weekend pouring concrete and cutting firewood at the farm. I did get to peek in on the fall plots which weren’t looking too bad considering the drought we’ve had. Right when I left yesterday they got an inch of rain and more in the forecast so I am very pleased. The deer have been hammering them. I thought these plots would be toast for sure.
Well gentlemen, and I use that term loosely, I cannot find that buck. The last blood pool I posted was all I could find and it was fresh ,which means he made it through the night. I can only assume he will live and can't explain it. I was confident in the shot and can only guess a low single lung hit. I did little circles, big circles and grids in waste high weeds and goldenrod thick as hair on a dog's back. Sucks a fat one. Im likely done for a while, since I blew that whole bedding area out. I'll give it a week or so and hunt another spot. Hope you all have better luck than me. Sent from my SM-G960U using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
Btw. Thank you all for the encouragement, advice and pulling for me. I love this forum. Sent from my SM-G960U using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
Damn, that sucks. You gave it a hell of an effort in recovery and did it right. Sh!t happens, even though sh!t sucks. Try to get out to the other spot sooner rather than later, so you don't dwell on it.
I had the same bad feeling about how far he he went and how long the track. Had one almost just like this 10 years ago, shot was high that time. I saw that deer a month later and he wasnt even limping. Unreal. Sent from my SM-G960U using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
It can be a soul crusher. Sorry to hear. I was refreshing all day hoping you'd find him. Keep an eye on the the area for a murder of crows in the area - they may help locate him if the buck did die. Keep at it.
Ridge, you gave it hell on the track job, so you know you did your best. It does happen. I know how frustrating it is, because I've been on enough less than ideal blood trails without recovery over the years. You do have to ask yourself though, how can they actually survive some of these wounds?
I guess I'll be heading out for a morning hunt! I need to come up with a game plan. South wind predicted, overcast, low 50s. My dad might be heading out as well. After the hunt, I'm gonna get him set up in a good spot for the rut.
