As the season begins so do threads about losing deer. Here are some tips about what to do after the shot,just remember there is no one correct way to recover a deer. I have hunted for over 30 years and every time I have to track a deer I learn something.I know I left some stuff out please add to it. 1) Time, it takes time for a deer to die even with a perfect shot. I know you want to get your hands on him but if he is dead he's not going anywhere. 2) Shot placement, this is key on how long to wait before you go track. A: Perfect shot heart or double lung, I'm waiting a half an hour before getting out of my stand then I head back to my truck or cabin to get my tracking tools in total an hour before I get on the trail. B: Marginal Shot, If you are not too sure about the shot then you have to back out for a minimum 2 hours in my opinion maybe longer. This will keep you from bumping the deer that isn't dead. C: Gut shot, This is a killing shot but not for at least 8 hours. The deer will die from poisoning not blood loss, he will normally bed down within a couple hundred yards of the shot for an easy recovery after 8 hours. D: Flesh shots, are shots where no vitals are hit and can be confusing because they look you get good blood but no deer at the end. For me these are the hardest deer to give up on because of all the blood. Again marginal shot wait 2 hours. 3) Giving up, you really shouldn't give up looking for a deer until you have exhausted every possible avenue to find the deer. I like to make the trail with toilet paper that way there is a clear path in which way the deer was traveling.At last blood you will have to get dogs, or friends to help you do a grid search. With in 12 hours of a kill the birds can tell you where the deer is use mother nature to your advantage. Also if there is water on the property a wounded deer will head there. 4) ?
