Originally Posted by
npaden
Very misleading information.
While maintaining a visual on your game might be possible in some areas, it is completely out of the question in others. I'm lucky to maintain a visual for 2 seconds on a lung shot deer on my hunting land in Texas as it runs off into the mesquite. I'm not about to go stumbling around after it pushing it farther and farther away and ultimately off my property if I made less than a perfect shot. Generally they are piled up within 50 yards, but I'm not going to risk pushing one off because I had to go find it immediately.
Convential wisdom is to leave them alone and allow them to expire before attempting to recover them unless you are VERY sure of the shot and saw them crash or unless some other factor is going to take away your ability to trail them (raining, snowing, etc.).
It's called convential wisdom because that's the most commonly agreed upon way to do things. Not always the right way, but most of the time in most circumstances.
You are right and make some very good points! I took the time to bold a few words in your post. I agree with your point about keeping a visual in the scrub in Texas which is why I said Depending on terrain. I never assume that any deer hunt is going to be general as you said Generally. And just like you said conventional wisdom doesn't mean it's always right so I would call it common knowledge not really "wisdom" but that still doesn't mean it's right..for example for many years conventional wisdom said the earth was FLAT. I prefer NOT to follow the herd or common knowledge. That doesn't mean I'm always right. But I think it's always good to look at both sides of the coin. I don't believe there is an absolute right or wrong when talking about blood trails and how soon to pursue after the shot Because of all the variables involved, and because we are dealing with living animals that don't all act alike. I would agree that hunters need do what works for them in their area, and gives them the most success at recovering their game.
Live it up! Doug