Well my friends and I went back to a small farm that we have hunted about 4-5 times this year and ALWAYS seen this buck come out at sunset. My friend has missed him twice and 5 days ago I didn't take a 35 yard shot at him because that's past my personal comfort zone.

He came out again tonight and was eating some cut corn for about a half hour while we watched, grunted, bleated and then just decided to watch him eat. He began to walk our way around 5:00pm and went right towards the spot where I didn't shoot at him before so I figured we were in for the same thing.

At the last second he makes a quick left and he is coming right across the front of my stand at 17 yards. I quickly come to draw and give him a mmmeeeeeeeaaaaaa. He stops in his tracks and I let the arrow fly. I saw my arrow fly and I heard a hollow thud like someone slapped me on the back, but it was a little dark and I am not POSITIVE where the arrow struck. From all information that I have I would say it hit the chest cavity because of the sound and when it hit the deer did not hunch up like a gut shot. He just quickly made a U-turn and trotted away, stopping at the field edge before going in. When he stopped his tail was down and twitching from side to side if that helps??

By the time I got down it was DARK. Checked for but did not find the arrow, or any blood for that matter. Because I am not 100% sure of the hit I figured being a small piece of land it would be best to let him bed down for the night and return first thing in the morning to retrieve him. We plan to hunt until 8:00am and then begin the search.

I can barely sit still so I have no idea how I am gonna get to sleep tonight. I did however want to post this so I can get any last minute advice or help that could improve my chances of recovering this deer.

This is the first deer I have ever shot with a bow so I really hope that this story has a happy ending.


Thanks in advance.