Gut Shot Deer
02-04-2010, 06:14 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 3,732
Gut Shot Deer
This past hunting season was long and enjoyable. It began on October 3, 2009, ended on October 18. Began again on Oct 25 in Montana, and ended on November 30 in South Dakota. Began again for muzzle loaders on December 12, and ended on for me on 27 January, 2010. It had me hunting in South Dakota and in Montana. In Montana i killed a whitetail doe, and also managed to get into a herd of 59 Elk. We had 2 wall tents, and my trailer in our camp. Heavy snow collapsed one of the wall tents one night, and left deep deep snow to wade the rest of my time there.
Before i went to Montana i experienced mud, mud, and more mud during our early doe season in South Dakota. One day i managed to kill a mule deer, and then the fun began. Hunting government land sometimes leads to long walks and drags. When i returned to South Dakota, i was to experience many many views of white tails waving good bye, when them dang deer saw me before i saw them. It seemed the wind was always at my back no matter what i planned or tried, and it seemed that i just wasn't sneaky enough to be able to get a good shot. One enjoyable thing was that i was able to scope my rifle during these 'regular' rifle seasons, and for once i was able to 'see' the sights clearly. I very much enjoyed carrying my muzzle loader during the rifle season.
When our muzzle loader season started on December 12, 2009, i began hunting with factory open sights on my Accura. It wasn't long into the season before we experienced a blizzard, and then a short time later another. This led to deep packed snow in some places, and thin skiffs of snow on the ridge tops. Warm weather made the snow soft, and cold nights made the snow icy. Morning saw me hunting on crusty noisy snow, and continued my season of watching white tails waving good bye. One day in the hills, got close to a deer, but just took it's picture, and removed the primer from my rifle, and counted 'coup' twice...........i just couldn't handle the thought of my hills hunting season ending with 3 weeks of hunting left.
With a week left in the season, i decided i would kill when i had the chance. The last morning of my hills season i started late to allow the icy snow to soften. I watched the weather, and planned my hunt so i would be moving mostly upwind. When i left the truck, it seemed my planning had worked, as the snow was quiet, and the wind was in my face. I had only walked a very short distance from the truck when i saw these deer:
Conditions were perfect for sneaking, and i had a camera in my pocket that was a Christmas gift from our son, his wife, and her grandson. After some time went by i saw a good shot develop, and decided to take it. Upon firing my rifle i saw the deer lurch downward on it's front legs, and 'knew' i had probably made a good shot. The load was a 300g 44 caliber xtp, in a Harvester smooth sabot, pushed by 105g BH209, lit by a W209 primer. The shot distance was about 120 yard. The other deer milled about trying to figure out what was going on, but couldn't tell where i was or if i was. I quietly dumped powder from Lane's tubes into the barrel, and the bullet, and the short starter. The ram rod made little noise when i removed it from the thimbles, but there was more noise when i seated the bullet, and most of the deer went away.
I walked up to where i thought the deer was standing, saw no blood, and walked further to be sure. Then i circled back and saw what i thought was stomach contents on the snow.
This made me sad. The deer didn't hump when hit, so i was surprised i made a gut shot. I then followed the tracks leading away from the gut juice, but the snow ended. This is sorta what i was looking at.
Then i looked downhill and saw a set of tracks in the snow heading down. I got on those tracks and followed them for a ways, but never saw any sign that the deer was leaking. So i cut across the slope looking for more tracks and blood. As i walked across the snow covered slope, i had various thoughts go through my mind; like i won't use open sights anymore, and maybe i completely missed the deer, and i should walk back to the truck, and drive it around and below, and walk up, and maybe intercept the deer. I cut maybe 9 sets of tracks headed straight down hill, but never was there a sign of one being hit.
Then i worked my way back to where i had seen what i thought was stomach contents, and looked at it again to verify it was what i had thought it was. I wasn't sure anymore, but it seemed my first thought was correct. Then i set out in the direction the tracks were heading, but soon the snow quit. I continued on heading in the same direction along the ridge, and up ahead in a patch of snow i saw this:
At long last i knew for sure i had hit the deer, but i was still sad it was a gut shot. It wasn't long following the tracks with stomach contents and blood, that the snow went away again. I 'knew' it was going to be a long day finding this deer. I made a waypoint on the gps marking the last place i saw a track and blood, then wandered ahead aways. Seeing no blood or snow for quite a distance ahead i turned around to locate the point where i had last seen the track of the deer, and out of the corner of my eye, about 50 feet away,downhill, i saw a dead deer. This was about 70 yard away from where the first evidence of a hit deer was on the snow.
I went down to it, and saw a hole in the ribs. I figured the hole on the other side was evidently further back, but when i rolled the deer over the hole on the other side was in the ribs too. I was quite puzzled, but happy i had found the deer so close. When i opened the deer up, what i saw was the bullet hit both lungs, damaged them severly, and was a pass through. However, there was a big hole in the diaphragm, and the stomach which leaked stomach contents into the chest cavity. Somehow these stomach contents were the predominate thing that leaked out the two holes through the ribs, and made it seem the animal was gut shot. I am guessing a piece of a rib went flying through the stomach, and the breathing of the deer sucked the stomach comtents into the chest cavity and out of the bullet holes. This stuff also seemed to 'plug' the holes, and kept most of the blood in the chest.
I was quite unnerved by the whole experience. Most of these pictures were taken about 22 hours afterward. The one of the deer in the timber was taken before the shot. Here is an image of the tracks recorded by the gps.
The truck is at the top. I shot from the place showing me staying in one spot for a time. The deer was near the guts waypoint when shot. My path when i walked downhill looking for the deer is to the left. The deer was laying close to the waypoint End Blood. The stack of tracks there indicates the time that went by whilst i dressed the deer.
Before i went to Montana i experienced mud, mud, and more mud during our early doe season in South Dakota. One day i managed to kill a mule deer, and then the fun began. Hunting government land sometimes leads to long walks and drags. When i returned to South Dakota, i was to experience many many views of white tails waving good bye, when them dang deer saw me before i saw them. It seemed the wind was always at my back no matter what i planned or tried, and it seemed that i just wasn't sneaky enough to be able to get a good shot. One enjoyable thing was that i was able to scope my rifle during these 'regular' rifle seasons, and for once i was able to 'see' the sights clearly. I very much enjoyed carrying my muzzle loader during the rifle season.
When our muzzle loader season started on December 12, 2009, i began hunting with factory open sights on my Accura. It wasn't long into the season before we experienced a blizzard, and then a short time later another. This led to deep packed snow in some places, and thin skiffs of snow on the ridge tops. Warm weather made the snow soft, and cold nights made the snow icy. Morning saw me hunting on crusty noisy snow, and continued my season of watching white tails waving good bye. One day in the hills, got close to a deer, but just took it's picture, and removed the primer from my rifle, and counted 'coup' twice...........i just couldn't handle the thought of my hills hunting season ending with 3 weeks of hunting left.
With a week left in the season, i decided i would kill when i had the chance. The last morning of my hills season i started late to allow the icy snow to soften. I watched the weather, and planned my hunt so i would be moving mostly upwind. When i left the truck, it seemed my planning had worked, as the snow was quiet, and the wind was in my face. I had only walked a very short distance from the truck when i saw these deer:
Conditions were perfect for sneaking, and i had a camera in my pocket that was a Christmas gift from our son, his wife, and her grandson. After some time went by i saw a good shot develop, and decided to take it. Upon firing my rifle i saw the deer lurch downward on it's front legs, and 'knew' i had probably made a good shot. The load was a 300g 44 caliber xtp, in a Harvester smooth sabot, pushed by 105g BH209, lit by a W209 primer. The shot distance was about 120 yard. The other deer milled about trying to figure out what was going on, but couldn't tell where i was or if i was. I quietly dumped powder from Lane's tubes into the barrel, and the bullet, and the short starter. The ram rod made little noise when i removed it from the thimbles, but there was more noise when i seated the bullet, and most of the deer went away.
I walked up to where i thought the deer was standing, saw no blood, and walked further to be sure. Then i circled back and saw what i thought was stomach contents on the snow.
This made me sad. The deer didn't hump when hit, so i was surprised i made a gut shot. I then followed the tracks leading away from the gut juice, but the snow ended. This is sorta what i was looking at.
Then i looked downhill and saw a set of tracks in the snow heading down. I got on those tracks and followed them for a ways, but never saw any sign that the deer was leaking. So i cut across the slope looking for more tracks and blood. As i walked across the snow covered slope, i had various thoughts go through my mind; like i won't use open sights anymore, and maybe i completely missed the deer, and i should walk back to the truck, and drive it around and below, and walk up, and maybe intercept the deer. I cut maybe 9 sets of tracks headed straight down hill, but never was there a sign of one being hit.
Then i worked my way back to where i had seen what i thought was stomach contents, and looked at it again to verify it was what i had thought it was. I wasn't sure anymore, but it seemed my first thought was correct. Then i set out in the direction the tracks were heading, but soon the snow quit. I continued on heading in the same direction along the ridge, and up ahead in a patch of snow i saw this:
At long last i knew for sure i had hit the deer, but i was still sad it was a gut shot. It wasn't long following the tracks with stomach contents and blood, that the snow went away again. I 'knew' it was going to be a long day finding this deer. I made a waypoint on the gps marking the last place i saw a track and blood, then wandered ahead aways. Seeing no blood or snow for quite a distance ahead i turned around to locate the point where i had last seen the track of the deer, and out of the corner of my eye, about 50 feet away,downhill, i saw a dead deer. This was about 70 yard away from where the first evidence of a hit deer was on the snow.
I went down to it, and saw a hole in the ribs. I figured the hole on the other side was evidently further back, but when i rolled the deer over the hole on the other side was in the ribs too. I was quite puzzled, but happy i had found the deer so close. When i opened the deer up, what i saw was the bullet hit both lungs, damaged them severly, and was a pass through. However, there was a big hole in the diaphragm, and the stomach which leaked stomach contents into the chest cavity. Somehow these stomach contents were the predominate thing that leaked out the two holes through the ribs, and made it seem the animal was gut shot. I am guessing a piece of a rib went flying through the stomach, and the breathing of the deer sucked the stomach comtents into the chest cavity and out of the bullet holes. This stuff also seemed to 'plug' the holes, and kept most of the blood in the chest.
I was quite unnerved by the whole experience. Most of these pictures were taken about 22 hours afterward. The one of the deer in the timber was taken before the shot. Here is an image of the tracks recorded by the gps.
The truck is at the top. I shot from the place showing me staying in one spot for a time. The deer was near the guts waypoint when shot. My path when i walked downhill looking for the deer is to the left. The deer was laying close to the waypoint End Blood. The stack of tracks there indicates the time that went by whilst i dressed the deer.
02-04-2010, 06:52 AM
#2
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
The main thing is you stuck to it and found the deer. A lot of people would give up. But. nice job. It was also nice of the deer to go back towards the truck to reduce the drag out.
I bet your right... that 300 grain sent bone backward and broke through to the gut section. That bullet you shoot is one of my favorite. 120 yards is a good shot. Congratulations on the deer and sticking with it.
I bet your right... that 300 grain sent bone backward and broke through to the gut section. That bullet you shoot is one of my favorite. 120 yards is a good shot. Congratulations on the deer and sticking with it.
02-04-2010, 07:34 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Chautauqua Co. N.Y.
Posts: 2,976
Nice job finding the Deer! But the first thing (IMO) I would have done after I saw what I believed was a (Gut-Shot) was backed off and waited for at least 3-4 hours. Unless it was getting close to dark or raining or there were Coyotes in the area.
A gut shot deer does'nt always hunch up as mentioned from the wound, but most of the time it does, and they also may act as if there not hit, they'll stand there and look around then slowly walk away untill they find a place to bed. Once bedded the animal will bed so if can cover it's backtracks and any approaching danger. The animal if not pursued will usually die within a few hours. I know this may seem mean to the animal, but if it see's or hears you comming it will run untill it cant run anymore, usually leaving no blood and your chances of finding it will be slim to none. If you leave it alone you will find it dead in it's bed. If you have Snow and can see where the animal went and have an idea where it may bed then you should back off and get some help to surround the area. Given this time to regroup and get help will give the animal time to succomb to it's wounds, and once you locate it, it will usually stand up as it hears you comming, or get up and run off slow wich should give one of the locaters a shot at it.
If no shots present themselves then the animal will usually only run a short distance befor bedding again.
I did'nt mean to get away from your topic on this but I figured if I mentioned this it would help those that have never shot and tracked a gut shot deer, and help them find it.
Remember if possible back off and give the animal time to bed, watch the direction it went and get help. If you go right after it you probably will never find it. There's no worse feeling then losing a deer when you could have prevented it.
Im glad you found the deer and you had a good shot that put it down fast, but a solid gut shot only will be a chore to find.
(BP)
A gut shot deer does'nt always hunch up as mentioned from the wound, but most of the time it does, and they also may act as if there not hit, they'll stand there and look around then slowly walk away untill they find a place to bed. Once bedded the animal will bed so if can cover it's backtracks and any approaching danger. The animal if not pursued will usually die within a few hours. I know this may seem mean to the animal, but if it see's or hears you comming it will run untill it cant run anymore, usually leaving no blood and your chances of finding it will be slim to none. If you leave it alone you will find it dead in it's bed. If you have Snow and can see where the animal went and have an idea where it may bed then you should back off and get some help to surround the area. Given this time to regroup and get help will give the animal time to succomb to it's wounds, and once you locate it, it will usually stand up as it hears you comming, or get up and run off slow wich should give one of the locaters a shot at it.
If no shots present themselves then the animal will usually only run a short distance befor bedding again.
I did'nt mean to get away from your topic on this but I figured if I mentioned this it would help those that have never shot and tracked a gut shot deer, and help them find it.
Remember if possible back off and give the animal time to bed, watch the direction it went and get help. If you go right after it you probably will never find it. There's no worse feeling then losing a deer when you could have prevented it.
Im glad you found the deer and you had a good shot that put it down fast, but a solid gut shot only will be a chore to find.
(BP)
02-04-2010, 08:56 AM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,917
Good for you Ron, for sticking with it. That's the test of an ethical hunter.
It's funny how we sometimes want to doubt the evidence before our eyes. Situations like that sure can be discouraging, but it feels sooo good when you finally spot that downed animal. Congratulations.
It's funny how we sometimes want to doubt the evidence before our eyes. Situations like that sure can be discouraging, but it feels sooo good when you finally spot that downed animal. Congratulations.
02-04-2010, 11:14 AM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,746
More often then expected we come across this problem. But a true ethical hunter makes the conscious effort to exhaust all efforts before giving up on a wounded animal. A couple times I looked for hours after taking a shot even when there was no indication or sign of a hit. And didn't give up until I found a bullet hole in a tree or a limb. Good job and congrats.
02-04-2010, 11:15 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Comance county, OK
Posts: 11,408
Congrats on recovering your deer.
i've had the same sort of thing happen several times. The animals were hit in the heart-lung area but the diaphragm was torn up. Two hogs were hit behind the diaphragm but bone fragments and fragments of that 240 grain .430 XTP bullet tore up the diaphragm, heart and lungs.
i've had the same sort of thing happen several times. The animals were hit in the heart-lung area but the diaphragm was torn up. Two hogs were hit behind the diaphragm but bone fragments and fragments of that 240 grain .430 XTP bullet tore up the diaphragm, heart and lungs.
02-04-2010, 12:18 PM
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 882
I had the same thing happen to me this year I must of pulled the shot or the deer moved on me.I check the stop were she stood and followed the tracks for a few yards small spot of blood .I went back to the house had some coffee and about a 1hour later took the quad up the mountain and se a few more drops of blood and sure as it was she was about 50 yards from were I shot her,I caught her low but I did find her,gutted and clean her out with course salt butchered her the next day.
02-04-2010, 12:51 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ohio,mid
Posts: 1,275
I take it hard when I do that. I work hard ot find them as well. I am glad you stuck with it. The worst I had was one bawling one time as I walked up on her. Man i still hear that in my sleep it really got to me. It made me practice more I'll tell you that! Good Job!