Well guys sad to say this morning I took a shot on a very nice buck, and he jumped the string. My arrow hit high above the vitals, and I didn't get very good penetration. I knew it was a bad shot immediately and pulled out. I'm wondering how long you guys think I should wait to track him.
What was the angle on the shot? Was it great enough to come through the opposite lung? Did you hit foward or too far back? What is the weather like right now and the predicted forecast for the next 12 hours. This could make a big difference. From the sounds of it I would give it a solid 6 to 8 hours if the weather permits. Just take your time, relax, and get a tracking game plan ready while your waiting in case there is no blood trail to follow. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I didn't get a chance to look for blood yet. He was on the other side of an electric fence and I have to go around to get in that side. He took off and it seemed like he was hurt badly. He did stop and look back at around 100 yards, then he dipped down over a hill and layed down in somewhere in a CRP patch. I'm real heartbroken right now. This is my first deer with bow and biggest buck to date.
I was in a ladder stand on a hill so the angle was pretty decent, but that does sound possible that I hit the other lung.
High shot? You thinking spine area maybe? Just remember, If you hit the spine that doesn't mean their going to fall over. You've got the best tracking tool one could have right now, snow. Use this to your advantage. You should be able to follow this deer for a very long time. If I knew It wasn't a lung shot I'd be on this deer pushing him making him bleed. Got any buddy's to help you out?
Whats the weather looking like the next 8 hours? You guys just got alot of fresh snow if I do recall? How much penetration did you get?
Sadly all my buddies are at work. My plan as of now is after lunch I'm gonna go out look for blood, and then decide what to do from there. We got fresh snow as of yesterday. I got about 3/4s penetration. I honestly can't remember my arrow length atm.
I could be wrong but somewhere in this area. It all happened so fast. I'm thinking I hit the shoulder blade actually due to the low penetration factor.
Give it time, if you aren't expecting any snow tonight you may even want to wait overnight. Hopefully you caught the opposite lung with the angle and he is expired laying in the CRP. If you didn't get lung you will probably have a long, very light, very inconsistant blood trail, the snow will help though. Good luck!
If you hit where you think then you should have hit lung as long as the penetration was great enough. A one lunged deer can go a long way though. Knowing that I would wait as long as possible. Especially since you do not have alot of friends that could help you at the current time. Just be patient, I know it can be hard but to me its not worth pushing him. You have to remember too that you hit high and you do not have an exit hole. Your blood trail might not be the best, but the snow will help you alot!!!
I hit my buck in the same exact spot. He dropped then got up and stumbled about 65 yards down the hill, where he stayed. I had about 12 inches of arrow penetration and that put the broadhead in the middle of the off side lung. He died within minutes. Take your time, he should be dead by now but no need to rush into it.
If he bedded within 200 yards just wait until tomorrow. If hes dead now, he'll be dead tomorrow. If you've hit high lung then he will need18-24 hrs to expire anyway, especially on a potential one lung. If you hit above the lungs and below the spine then he will live to see another year. If your shot is where you have shown then the angle should take out the offset lung and may be in the other shoulder (reason for lack of penatration) but if you run in to early and bump him then its usually game over. Chances for recovery are slim, unless you own 1000's of acres to keep him moving on.
Atlas will be here soon, he's the master with helping hunters in your sitution You have got plenty of good advice already, good luck
you really need to analyze the hit sight .... do you have lung blood? Is there alot? .. if you were at a steep angle, that buck is prolly dead as a hammer .... what is the weather forcast over the next 24 hours?
I spotted him against a fence. Hes bedded and movin his head a little. i found drops of bubbly blood at the hit side.
If you see him stay put and watch him as long as you can with Bino's.. Or just back out and let him lay over night if possible.. Is his head up or is he laying it done as if he is getting sicker??
This If you hit there and went in 3/4 you more than likely hit both lungs. Might have lodged the broadhead in the back shoulder, which would explain the walking in pain look. If you are confident you hit it there, i would go get it. and as steve said, in this snow, i would be on that deer like white on rice.
