Why people take up a blood trail too early? What is it? Why can't we resist the urge? The single number one uno cause of non recovered deer. So why do it? Let me say I'm not singling ANYONE out or bashing anyone. I'm not holier than thou or ethics police etc...... We've all made the mistake and many others out there. I just for the life of me can't understand why. The deer is either dead, laying there going to die, or wounded and going to live. If it's dead it's not going very far 20 minutes after the shot or hours after the shot (no need to chase it). If it's laying there in its death bed it may go very far 20 minutes after the shot if given a reason. Chances are hours after the shot it won't be very far from where it bedded (no need to chase it). If it's alive it won't be there hours after the shot (no need to chase it). What I get out of this is there is never a need to take up a trail too soon (barring extreme conditions where you're forced to).
I'm sure we've all been there, I know I was in my early days. I have a thread that tries to give sound advice to those willing to be open minded about it and want to learn. Seems we can't get it sticky'd here. I know it's taught many on HNI. I also always appreciate others input on it as I've learned a few things as well. I'm always willing and looking to learn and I hope others are too. Edit; And I've always hated that 30 minute rule of thumb. Seems to me they are either dead within seconds or they get pushed even after 30 minutes. IF they don't go down in site or ear shot, it's better to err on caution and give them more than 30 mins. IMO
A good post shot recover is a skill that must be learned and reinfoced. Think of it this way. Most people only arrow one deer per year, and some none. So post shot recovery is a skill that must be learned, although only doing a specific task 1 time per year is really not that much in terms of reinforcing a skill. Just think about. If our goal was to swing a bat succesfully, we would swing the bat much more than just 1 to 2 times per year, it would be tens of thousands of times. Therein lies our dilemma. Lack of doing the specific task.
Inexperience for the most part. I've been going on blood trails since I was 5 years old (I'm 35 years old now). I've been on thousands of them and I've had an awesome coach In my dad and a few of his bow hunting friends. If I see my animal go down or If I'm 100% confident In my shot each animal regardless gets 2 hours minimum before we set foot on the bloodtrail. The only way I go In quicker was If rain was In the forecast and I was sure I drilled the animal perfect. For me the part of the hunt Is tracking the animal with friends and family. I'll never take one up on my own unless no one else Is able to come with.
My recent example was because of temps. I said it before that if the deer I just lost would of happened during late November I would not of even asked and would of just waited till morning. But due to my lack of experience with working with deer shot when the temputure was in the 50's, I was concerned. Having said all that, how did it work out for me? Not very well. Lesson learned. I'd rather have the deer and some of the meat spoiled than no deer and the deer pushed farther than it needed to be.
