so upset

[monkeyman2269]

Well today I shot a monster 10 or 12 pointer at 30 yards hit right behind shoulder with it broadside it almost went all the way threw the deer followed blood for about 300 yards good red blood then we kicked it off its bed so we backed out for 2 hours then tracked it a Lil more then a mile it was bleeding down its leg onto its hoof. Then we lost the blood Idk what happened I think it hit the oppisite shoulder and difflected into the brisket only the fletching were sticking out the side I hit

[VA Bow]

How long did you wait prior to tracking?

[bronko22000]

Probably not long enough. The temptation to track too soon is the most common cause of lost deer. I have made the decision a few years ago after losing a deer to a 'perfect' shot to never begin tracking for at least an hour after the shot. Even with my last 5 buck, and seeing them fall, I waited for 15 mins, and quietly left the area and came back an hour later to find the animal in the same spot, stone dead.
Just this past Tuesday evening I shot a buck in some thick stuff and he was out of sight in the blink of an eye. I waited my customary 15 mins, eased over to where he was when I shot just to confirm my hit. Saw the blood and backed out to my truck for an hour. When I went back to follow the trail, he was laying dead only 40 yds away.
Remember, dead is dead. If you have to take a drive to resist the temptation to start too soon, do it. The worst thing you can do is jump a wounded deer from its bed. If it was laying there for over 15 mins, there is a good chance the wound channel will clot up and if it runs off, you won't have a blood trail to follow. I suggest you go back tomorrow and start a grid search from the last blood. First search in the direction he was last headed. If no luck, then in the direction of easiest travel, or thickest cover. Or, check around any water source if there is one. Good Luck

[monkeyman2269]

I cant figure out what I coulda hit and have him go so far

[bronko22000]

It happens. Arrows deflect. You could have hit the elbow, rib, whatever. I already made a 'perfect shot' only to find out later that my arrow went in just behind the shoulder on a broadside buck, but hit a rib on the way in, turned almost 90* and came out the opposite side just in front of the hind leg. I only hit one lung and the liver (and a bunch of gut). But my leaving him and not starting to track for an hour, plus the lack of blood and darkness, I was forced to wait til the next morning. I found him 200 yds away - stone dead.

[ryndisher]

If you hit him where you said and not in the shoulder than it is a dead deer. Unless you were using some crappy heads. Go find him!

[monkeyman2269]

Well we searched high and low and found nothing but on our way out we found a ribcage and 4buck legs with the broadside wound right were I hit it with its head missing. Makes sense know there was a truck Parked there didn't think much about it. And it still was there when we left at 830. Blood on the carcass 2

[burniegoeasily]

You went after him too soon. You jumped him, he might be miles away when he died.

[monkeyman2269]

Read above think another hunter stole it

[*twodogs*]

If I go beyond 50-60 yards tracking with good blood, the decision for me is always to back out if I take up the track 1-2 hours after the shot. The hit was not as good as I thought so I back out and give the deer time to bed down and die.