I waited 25 min then walk north. When I returned I followed the blood trail led right by where I walked out. The deer did a loop on me, I fond where he layed about 80 yds from where I shot him. Then I fond zip, only 1 drop of blood 40 yds away, I had spooked him leaving the stand. Only by shear luck I fond him the next day, I walk the river and fond him on the bank.
If a deer is hurt the tend to run to deep cover or water, I would take a look there.
GHemry: You are knowledgeable (read further). I thought this deer was hit perfectly. I mean that. I got down.....because I thought the deer was down. I snuck down.....and checked the arrow. It had spots of blood on the fletchings. It had a little bit of blood on the shaft. No hair. Nothing else. I just assued the arrow had to pass through.....although I'm thinking, now, it "could" have hit the area behind the shoulder with the point.....and "spit" blood onto the shaft and fletchings. I'm just not sure of how it all occurred, right now.
GHemry......when following the blood trail.....he was circling back. There's a chance he may have heard me come down.....but I WAS very quiet. His blood trail ran out about 60-70 yds from my stand.....(dense woods)......and I snuck out going directly in the opposite direction of where he "appeared" to be heading (circling back). I went back along that trail and looked to see if he'd backtracked and took another route. No luck. It began to rain here, last night......and it hasn't stopped. No blood trail out there, now. I walked the creek on both sides....both last night and today. No deer.
Let me give some advice here, though........
If you're going to hunt in the evenings.....do the ethical thing and have PLENTY of light power for tracking. This hurt us, last night. I know that. I had lots of lights.....but not lots of really powerful lighting. The big boys don't last long. I WILL be buying more of them. Also....the TP idea is awesome. Do it.
Jeff