This is always a touchy subject on here and I know it happens believe me.........even good shots can be a challenge sometimes on the trail to recovery.
I'm not quite sure how to approach this so I'll just do my best to say what I feel and see where it goes......
First things first, we see them every year, thread after thread every few daysfrom someone (generally a little known member, or inexperienced hunter) coming on here 2 hrs after letting an arrow go with a thread of that exact title......."Hit one and can't find it"
I'm sorry but it drives me nuts,absolutely bananas,and I'll clarify why.
For one the technical resources are here right in front of every member in the form of Rob's recovery thread pinned to the top for the entire season offering sound advice.........and the day to day conversations we've had over the years on the topic are in the database.
Before you panic, give up ,take up the trail without knowing what to do, or simply want to be the center of attention that night, please take a minute or 2 or 3 and read Rob's thread, search the database for trailing tips etc.
Next And this is the sensitive part I guess.......the whole world doesn't need to know that someone is struggling to find an animal they shot or they've given up looking. I've been there myself just last year, but I didn't broadcast to the world what was going on and I worked it out.
We're here to help, send a PM to me if need be for suggestions, or Rob or any number of guys you might trust and ask the questions privately.
The resources are here for help........I encourage you to use them
privately.
Also every year we not only have these threads, but we also have them started by some guy who shoots a deer at night, looks for 2 hrs, gives up and says he can't look anymore because he has to go to work.
And every year that person gets temple punched on every reply thereafter. [:-]
[:'(]
ADVICE:
If you find yourself in that situation and you have no desire to, or cannot continue the search any further because of work or some other excuse just TRUST me and keep it to yourself, I don't want to hear about it and neither does anybody else.[:@]
It's a case of it being your responsibility as a hunter to do whatever you can to bring that animal home, and if you are going to come on here and basically state to the world "Oh well bummer, I guess coyotes will get it" I guarantee that we are going to crucify you upside-down.
We're here to help, tricky or bad situations happen butI beg of youpeople, use some common sense before you hit send on that keyboard.
THINKbefore you post and ask yourself this question before you do it "Did I honestly do whatever I could do, and everything I know how to do to this point, and am I willing to go the extra mile?"
If the answer is no to any or all of them, they seldom turn out good.
If the answer is yes, still ask yourself this question........"Is this still going to be good reading for the members or non-hunting visitors to this site?"
I'm sympathetic to someone struggling,(I've been thatperson), soPLEASE contact me if you need help....if you're nearby and I'm not on my deathbed I will COME and help!Just please,PLEASE don't ever come on here with a lackluster "Oh well" attitude about losing an animal or you'll get your head handed to you.
I'm not sure if this is coming across correctly but I know there are members out there who know what I'm getting at but it's hard to put into words.......so please before we even have a chance to see the first one, USE COMMON SENSE, reread that thread you are about to start and ask yourself those questions.
Those of you new to the forum might think I'm off base a bit, but the veterans to the process will most likely back this sentiment up, and after you see it the first few times you too will understand exactly where I'm coming from.
I hit one and can't find it!!........
Its bear hunting time folks and I am getting ready again.
