First of all, this is a muzzleloading question, and if it offends anyone, being this is a bow site I apologize. So yesterday BP came in here in VA and I went to my hotspot where I shot the one with the bow a couple of weeks earlier, which I was unable to find. A tall spike walked out in front of me in the morning, watched him tend to a scrape, lick his branch and mess around in the beans for about 10 minutes. He moved on off into the thick pines where I know is a good doe bedding area. I messed around throughout the day and decided to return that afternoon to the same general area, just set up beside a big poplar tree at the back of the field. Probably about 45 minutes before dark that same spike comes out in front of me again at about 60 yards. I watched him for about 10 minutes and then here he comes. A nice 8 I would say about 22" wide and tall, by far the biggest I would have killed. He is walking towards me and stops about 90 yards, I am thinking he is suspecting something so I shoot, and now I am kicking myself. I think I missed...can't find any blood. If I missed are my chances now done with him? This sucks, one of these days I am going to get a big one down. I have missed so many big ones over my hunting career it is ridiculous, it is like I have a mental block.
After thinking about this some more I feel like I made a good shot on this buck. I only looked in the bean field for blood, but I am pretty sure he jumped right into the thick pines and a bunch of briars. Could it be that he may not have bled out right away from the shot? I am thinking I am going back tomorrow to do a little more digging. Does anybody have any suggestions for searching for signs? From the smoke I could not tell which way he went but I know he didn't run out into the field and am pretty sure I saw some broken brush where he went into the thick pines.
Look your heart out buddy. If you don't hit a major bone you get a small hole on both side. They still go down and most times with in 75 yards. Just because there is no blood on the ground don't mean he's not down. A .5 inch hole is not a lot to pour on the ground but the internal bleeding will be plenty. Look hard and wide. If you have a dog and its legal in your state take it with you...they love finding dead things lol. Good luck and put a pic up when you find him!
Going to look for a while tomorrow. I am used to shotgun hunting, most of the time there is plenty of blood with that. Only 3 years with BP and 2 years with bow, so it is a little bit different than the shotgun. Sorry for all the silly questions. I had him in the cross hairs at 90 yards and don't see how I missed, but I could have. Least worth another look and if not maybe I will get another shot tomorrow evening. This guy has been consuming me.
I second bringing a dog, any good versatile hunting dog *German Wirehaired Pointer, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Drathaar, most spaniels and most pointers or hounds would all be able to do the job*. I have a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon who loves finding animals- dead, alive or indifferent.
dont give up......you might have hit him a little high....not much blood till he lays down....get some friends and do a line walk or zig zag back and forth like a ripple effect till you find some blood...look near creeks or down in gullys....and some more advice given from experience......if you feel like giving up....go 50 more yards
Yeah you better plan on messing your spot up today looking. If you feel good on your shot then you need to look hard. He's out there man go find him.
If you're having trouble determining what is blood and what is not, or you have possibly found dry blood and you're not sure that it is blood exactly, I suggest bringing some peroxide in a spray bottle. Tracking can be tough and depending on the shot you often find minimal amounts of blood. Although it is rare with a gun, a wounded deer can clot up quickly or run for several yards without bleeding out or leaving small drops of blood behind. Tracking is not a sprint so take your time and take everything into consideration in regards to your shot placement. Hope you find him and goodluck on your future hunts.
There is a chance you you could have put your shot right through his vitals. Last year i shot my 8pt buck during rifle season in MN with my .270 short mag. When i shot he took off like a bat outta hell and showed no signs that i hit him when he took off. I was extremely disappointed and when it came time to leave stand i figured i would check where i shot just in case i hit him. I found the trail he took off on and found him crumpled up in a pile 20yds from where i shot him. My hollow point shells made hamburger of his heart and i didn't find a single drop of blood. I'm hoping that ends up being the case for you too man!
Looks like I missed. Guy on the farm said he saw him crossing the field this morning. Maybe he will show his face again and I plan to not miss this time, lol.
