RE: Hit One, Tracking, NEED INPUT
Sounds like a touchy situation. I agree with everyone else that the buck is definitely down and probably not too far from your stand. I would suggest you trying to get a dog in there if at all possible. A lab with any hunting experience-even a bird dog-might tip you off as to where he went after crossing his own path. I done the same thing you did last year. The only thing different was that it was raining at the time and the blood trail was disappearing quickly. After bumping the deer, I backed out for about 2 hours and then returned with my lab-a bird dog that had never trailed anything on the hoof. I took her to the spot I found the first sign and saw when she picked up the trail-even though the blood was long gone. She took off through the woods and in less than a minute, she was barking. I walked over to find her standing beside the deer barking at it. Wish you the best and be sure to post the pics when you find him!!!