You aren't a bad hunter if you are concerned about the fact you didn't find the deer. So many "hunters" just give up on the trail of a poorly hit animal and leave it to for the coyotes, or other predators. So, the simple fact that you are concerned and wanting to improve your tracking skills is a really good thing.

You learned the most important lesson. Always watch where the deer goes and mark well in your mind where the last place you saw the deer. If you have a compass, it will help you get an exact direction for a landmark that you can use to mark the last spot you saw the deer. Because, when you get out of your tree stand the surroundings will look totally different.

Next, I recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before even moving after you place a shot. Typically a well hit deer, and even some that have less minor but fatal injuries well run 75 to 200 yards then lie down. The path they take is generally straight for 75% of the run in to the wind, then they will circle around downwind and turn back toward the wind and lie down. Basically making the shape of a G. They lie down where they can smell their trail, so they will know if the predator that wounded them pursues their trail. If it was a fatal shot, the deer will eventually pass away at this initial position where they lie down. Now this is obviously not always true, but I would say probably 80% of the time, unless the shot is so fatal the deer collapses while fleeing.

Next, once you have waited for a while, (I recommend 30 minutes), walk to the last location you saw the deer and look for blood. Do not look for blood where you placed your first shot, because you may lose your focus on the last place you saw the deer. This will save you time in the tracking process. If you can not find blood return to the initial shot location and begin your trail from their. If you do find blood mark the spot. I usually tie up a piece of orange surveyors tape in a nearby tree to mark the blood. Next move out 5 to 10 yards from the blood you find, make a complete circle at this radius around the last blood spot. If you find more blood mark it and circle it. Of course if you can see blood farther along keep moving along the blood trail till you don't see anymore, then perform the circle maneuves again. If ever you don't find blood in a circle, move out 5 to 10 yards more and make another circle. If you have a buddy you can both circle the marked location and decrease the search time. When you are done following the trail and find the deer take note of your orange tape markers. Do they look like a G? I would bet that they do.

Ok, now this is a time consuming process, especially if done alone. So what to do if it is late. Mark the last blood spot, and leave for the evening. Don't get in a hurry trying to beat dark, because it is very hard to see blood with a flashlight. However, they do sell flourescent bulbs, like you see on CSI that you can use to illuminate the ground. If it is dark out you would be shocked at how bright blood will light up in a purple flourescent light. It glows like neon, very easy to trail. If you ever lose the trail, start the circles again.

This method has always worked successfully for myself and it was taught to me by my father. In 20 years of hunting, and using this system, I have never lost a deer. That is the honest truth, I have never lost a deer that I have wounded. And I have even used this method in the Everglades were it is tough to trail blood through the mud and water. But if you are patient, and make the circles deliberately and carefully, you will find your deer. Unless it was a non-lethal hit.

Happy Hunting!

KSUIE