It depends. If I see the animal go down, and "die", I wait 30 minutes. Depending on the hit, I vary. If I think it is a good hit, I wait 45-60 minutes and get down slowly to check the arrow if it is available. If I even have a doubt that it was a bad hit, I wait 2-3 hours before getting down or backing out before reassessing the situation by examining the arrow or blood trail that may or may not be present. I can tell you one thing, the longer I have hunted, the longer I am waiting after the shot. So I would say I average right around 1 hour.
The reason I ask Is IMO I think allot of deer or any animal for that matter get lost because too many people jump on that trail to quick thinking they have a good shot.
On a good shot about an hour. If its an excellent shot. I will start looking as soon as I get out of the tree. I usually get out of the tree find blood. Then, go to the camp change clothes anput my gear upget something to snack on for a few minutes an get mydeer cart an go back to the spot.
On a good shot about an hour. If its an excellent shot. I will start looking as soon as I get out of the tree. I usually get out of the tree find blood. Then, go to the camp change clothes anput my gear upget something to snack on for a few minutes an get mydeer cart an go back to the spot.
I try to take no more thantwo other people with me. One to mark the spot an the other to help look for blood.
Honestly it really depends on what exactly are the facts in the matter. I try to follow my recovery thread's rules of thumb.
My Halloween buck, I saw a great shot, the buck acted dead on his feet but I know by the time I packed up, made calls, calmed down over 30 minutes had passed as I walked up the hill to where I last saw him. I was 99% sure he was down right there but I still had my doubts as I didn't SEE him go down. I moved slow and deliberate when I found blood, looked that direction as I stepped and saw him down in the drainage.
When I saw a gut shot on my 01 buck, I stayed in my tree 4 hours, got down and backed out and came back 4 hours later, 8 hours total and he was 50 yards from the last sighting.
I'll be redundant, when in doubt, back out.
Wait, dead is dead and you'll bump less deer out of their beds.
It's always different depending on the situation. Last Tuesday I shot a doe and watched her walk 30yrds, lay down and die. I went right over to her and gutted her. Usually though, I'll wait a half hour to get down and check for my arrow for blood. I then look to see what kind of blood trail is being left, or not.I then make my decisionhow to proceed.
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'07 Hoyt Vectrix XL 50-60# / maxed at 63# 30"
HHA OL-5000 single pin
Wisker Biscuit
KWIKEE KWIVER / XX75-2314 arrows
S-Coil stabilizer / Loop & Kisser / Fletcher Peep
TRU FIRE / Hurricane Release
Muzzy 3 blade 100gr
If I see the deer drop I walk right over and sit with the beast for awhile just to soak it in. I just really enjoy sitting with the fruits of my labor andthen out comes the knife.
Ialways head back to the truck and shed a few layers, make a phone call or two and go for coffee.I always get some help to drag due to a bad back and I know a couple of young bucks who are more than willing to show me how strong they are.They drag and I tell them how powerful they are.
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Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
How long do you wait after your shot?
