Originally Posted by
WV Hunter
They are tough for sure. About the only thing for sure I can say after 30yrs of hunting them and shooting well over 100...expect the unexpected.
Buddy of mine shot a doe a couple years ago with his Hawken, and a patched round ball. 40yds broadside. He nailed her perfect, she ran down the mountain about 100yds and laid down. 5 mins later he jumped her, she ran another 100yds and laid down. He waited a bit, and I caught up with him. 10 mins later, we jumped her again...she ran over a rise and disappeared. We followed the blood (looked like poured from a pitcher the whole way) and found her laying dead just over the rise. She went 300yds, and was alive 15 mins plus. His shot went right through the heart. When he dressed her, I put my finger right through the hole....couldn't even believe it. I would NEVER have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes. They are amazingly tough.
Congrats on your doe. And sorry to hear you have such a crappy neighbor.
Wow. 300 yards. I would have thought I shot bad. I must confess. I probably have lost more deer because I either thought I missed them or the blood trail looked weak. The last 4 years I have been finding allot of my deer 100's of yards away even with solid shots.
It makes me sick that I gave up on many of them (in the past) because I was not experienced enough to know how tough they are. I just figured I stunk at hitting them.
I wish I could go back in time and strip the meat away from the yotes.
Well, at least my son is learning from me. Hopefully he wont make the same mistakes as I did.
Anyway, I give a lot of credit to you guys for opening my eyes on deer hunting. This forum has changed the way I think. Deer are...well...Just Tough.
D