Shot an 8...need some help
10-21-2005 | 08:05 AM
#61
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,668
Likes: 0
From: NY
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
ORIGINAL: wvbowhntr
I just got home and was finally able to get on the computer, so here's a quick update...After my class I drove home and got into the woods about 10:30-11am. Made it to the spot where I had shot him, but there was no sign of blood...it ended up raining here last night and most of the morning. I went back to where I shot and replayed where he ran away from me so I followed that path. He ran into a hollow and then on some flats above the main road, deer usually travel this so I expected him to bed down out there some where. Well I walked back and forth on that I don't know how many times and couldn't find a thing. I moved up and down to each flat, checked all the fallen treetops, I then hit the field above it and walked through all of that. They have a tendancy to cross over the field or run around and come out on the other side. I walked all of that checking a small patch of pines (once I thought for sure I found him...I saw something brown and white laying in the brush and got so exicted, I started walking toward it to then see it jump up...turned about to be a very large housecat...) I then walked into a deep hollow filled with more treetops and laurel directly across the field...still not a thing. I checked every possible spot I have known deer to go or bed and anything that I could see, but nothing. No deer, no arrow, nothing at all[X(]. I walked for roughly 7 to 7 1/2 hours looking everywhere I could. I hit the neighboring property to see if he possibly ran down in there as well. I didn't make it all the way through there, but I plan on going back tomorrow evening. I thought for sure that I would have found him today, so it's not looking too good at the moment. I don't know what else to do. Just pretty bummed about the whole thing
I just got home and was finally able to get on the computer, so here's a quick update...After my class I drove home and got into the woods about 10:30-11am. Made it to the spot where I had shot him, but there was no sign of blood...it ended up raining here last night and most of the morning. I went back to where I shot and replayed where he ran away from me so I followed that path. He ran into a hollow and then on some flats above the main road, deer usually travel this so I expected him to bed down out there some where. Well I walked back and forth on that I don't know how many times and couldn't find a thing. I moved up and down to each flat, checked all the fallen treetops, I then hit the field above it and walked through all of that. They have a tendancy to cross over the field or run around and come out on the other side. I walked all of that checking a small patch of pines (once I thought for sure I found him...I saw something brown and white laying in the brush and got so exicted, I started walking toward it to then see it jump up...turned about to be a very large housecat...) I then walked into a deep hollow filled with more treetops and laurel directly across the field...still not a thing. I checked every possible spot I have known deer to go or bed and anything that I could see, but nothing. No deer, no arrow, nothing at all[X(]. I walked for roughly 7 to 7 1/2 hours looking everywhere I could. I hit the neighboring property to see if he possibly ran down in there as well. I didn't make it all the way through there, but I plan on going back tomorrow evening. I thought for sure that I would have found him today, so it's not looking too good at the moment. I don't know what else to do. Just pretty bummed about the whole thing
Sometimes people just have to learn the hard way..........too bad for the deer.
You sound like a good guy that just made a very stupid decision in a moment of panic.
I applaud your efforts in searching for him and wish you the best of luck.
10-21-2005 | 09:02 AM
#62
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
The first place I would check is the closest water hole.When i had deer run farther then they should have I have always found them heading or near some water.A wounded deer will go there regardless in most cases.I had the same problem once.I shoit a nice 9 pointer and was sure I made a good shot and listened.Well my head played tricks on me and I thought he stayed on my side of the fence.It rained that night so I the next morning I was sure of where i heard him go and only looked there for 2 days ALL day and never found him.I was so rejected.I went back there on the other side of the fence and found him at the pond while I was shed hunting.I never thought to look on the other side of the fence knowing there was a 10 acre pond there just 70 yards away.If I had found him that day after shooting him he would be mounted and with my other trophies.But I could not do that because I didnt deserve the respect of that fine buck hanging on my walls with my others.I gve the antlers to my daughters which they want new ones every year from me.I learned a valuable lesson.When you cant find your deer they always remeber the shortest route between where you shot them and water and you may find it.
Good luck when you go back out looking for him.If you can recruit some friends and do a grid search you will cover more ground and do a better search.
Good luck when you go back out looking for him.If you can recruit some friends and do a grid search you will cover more ground and do a better search.
10-21-2005 | 09:14 AM
#63
Fork Horn
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Street MD
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
I agree with Illinois Bowhuntin if you want to find your deer go to the closest water I shot a doe last year it was a gut shot I let it sit overnight I couldnt find any blood right at were I shot her but we did finally find blood about 35 yards from were I shot her followed it a long while and found her on the edge of a field right by the stream
10-21-2005 | 09:20 AM
#64
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,199
Likes: 1
From: Blossvale, New York
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
A lot of people are awfully quick to declare this animal dead. The shot taken is probably the worst shot you can take. It has to hit square on or in the soft spot. Otherwise the arrow will more than likely ride the tightly compacted ribs in the front and skip right out behind the shoulder...never entering the chest cavity itself. Everyone says "help me help me" but know one pays a bit of attention when we tell them, "DON'T TAKE THIS SHOT". I'm with Jack Ryan. The deed has been done. There isn't a soul here that can help you via the internet. And don't get too wrapped up in what "Deer always do or prefer to do". Go by the sign at hand, not what deer do when they're milling around.
10-21-2005 | 09:37 AM
#65
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
I've personally never seen never seen wounded deer run toward water, but I'm the minority on that, so take their advice and go look by water. I would not be concentrating on looking in their traditional bedding areas. This deer is not traditional, he is wounded and wounded deer dont act like nothing is wrong and go about a normal routine so I dont think I would check places that deer normally are (you did that already it sounds like). You need to be checking wooded ditches, treetops, downfalls and little, thick places.
This is very important!!!!! Replay the shot in your head, did that deer EVER EVER know you were there, Even so much as you stopping him with a sound??? If you are certain that deer did not know a predator was there (you) then after he was hit, he probably ran a short ways and stopped wondering WTH just happened, and if he was hurt he probably found a very close, nice thick spot to bed down. If you so much as made a sound to stop him and that deer knew something was up, then he probably went a long way knowing a predator was there.
I'm hoping he never knew you were there, because if thats the case there may be a good chance you went to far and overlooked how close he may have bedded down. And if your shot did as Davidmil suspects, hes long gone and fine.
This is very important!!!!! Replay the shot in your head, did that deer EVER EVER know you were there, Even so much as you stopping him with a sound??? If you are certain that deer did not know a predator was there (you) then after he was hit, he probably ran a short ways and stopped wondering WTH just happened, and if he was hurt he probably found a very close, nice thick spot to bed down. If you so much as made a sound to stop him and that deer knew something was up, then he probably went a long way knowing a predator was there.
I'm hoping he never knew you were there, because if thats the case there may be a good chance you went to far and overlooked how close he may have bedded down. And if your shot did as Davidmil suspects, hes long gone and fine.
10-21-2005 | 09:41 AM
#66
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,668
Likes: 0
From: NY
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
ORIGINAL: davidmil
A lot of people are awfully quick to declare this animal dead. The shot taken is probably the worst shot you can take. It has to hit square on or in the soft spot. Otherwise the arrow will more than likely ride the tightly compacted ribs in the front and skip right out behind the shoulder...never entering the chest cavity itself. Everyone says "help me help me" but know one pays a bit of attention when we tell them, "DON'T TAKE THIS SHOT". I'm with Jack Ryan. The deed has been done. There isn't a soul here that can help you via the internet. And don't get too wrapped up in what "Deer always do or prefer to do". Go by the sign at hand, not what deer do when they're milling around.
A lot of people are awfully quick to declare this animal dead. The shot taken is probably the worst shot you can take. It has to hit square on or in the soft spot. Otherwise the arrow will more than likely ride the tightly compacted ribs in the front and skip right out behind the shoulder...never entering the chest cavity itself. Everyone says "help me help me" but know one pays a bit of attention when we tell them, "DON'T TAKE THIS SHOT". I'm with Jack Ryan. The deed has been done. There isn't a soul here that can help you via the internet. And don't get too wrapped up in what "Deer always do or prefer to do". Go by the sign at hand, not what deer do when they're milling around.
It's amazing how many people come on here crying "Help me!!!" when in fact they have totally dismissed all the help offered here 365 days a year and done something they either know they shouldn't have or never bothered to learn in the first place.
I guess some people think all this information is here for decoration
10-21-2005 | 09:46 AM
#67
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
Well I believe we have heard from all sides of this situation. To each his/her own thoughts of what is right and wrong. There will always opposite feelings on everything. Thats what makes life so grand. I don't have an opinion for either side... kinda hanging on the side lines. I don't know all the answers thats what makes this site a great site. To hear pros and cons from all individuals makes this site even better. I do appreciate all those that gave this person some good/bad comments in finding and a hope. Like one of us in here said, If I lived close enough to you...I would lend a hand in looking. This thread will give everyone something to think about and what each of us would do if this situation arises when we are out hunting...Ok I'm going back to my corner and wait for someone to beat the heck out of me fer speaking...hehe...
I still hope he finds it...Look up the birds will tell ya where it is....
I still hope he finds it...Look up the birds will tell ya where it is....
10-21-2005 | 10:01 AM
#68
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,913
Likes: 0
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
Not that it matters....but no one asked.....how big was he? Did you take the shot because he was a big buck, or did you just want to tag out early? I'm not trying to bust your chops here....that horse has been beat to death. You know you took a very low percentage shot. I know some people take shots at huge deer that they shouldn't or wouldn't normally take on a smaller buck/doe. I'm not perfect, no one is. I have lost deer and taken shots in the past that I wish I hadn't . Just keep looking and chalk it up as a lesson learned. I do hope you find it.....good luck.
10-21-2005 | 10:28 AM
#69
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
Come on guys. Whats done is done. Don't even tell me all of you have never ever made a bad shot because it happens to everyone at least once. I don't care who you are theres always a variable of some sort that can cause a bad shot. I personally don't hunt whitetail I hunt blacktail, but I've noticed that if you hit an animal it follows the easiest path. If the deer pulls that arrow out there will be what I call the murder scene because its gonna be a LOT of blood. Usually the deer died in the murder scene or is close by and dead. My father shot a deer in the chest last year and we followed a really weak bloodtrail on a game trail into some thick woods the arrow was sticking out and when it hit the branches pulled out and the deer went about 5 yards and bled to death. I don't really think is matters if you stuck it into the shoulder blade if that deer tries to pull that arrow out with a good broadhead on it. It will most likely cut a bunch of veins and arteries which means its gonna die. Most murder scenes I've seen were after waiting for an hour and with it pouring down rain so I don't think even an extremely large amount of rain could wash away that amount of blood. Good luck and don't sweat what these guys say as much as you are.
10-21-2005 | 12:30 PM
#70
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,051
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, Missouri
RE: Shot an 8...need some help
You don't know to give it time to die instead of chasing it all over the county?
Sometimes people just have to learn the hard way..........too bad for the deer.
You sound like a good guy that just made a very stupid decision in a moment of panic.
I applaud your efforts in searching for him and wish you the best of luck.
You sound like a good guy that just made a very stupid decision in a moment of panic.
I applaud your efforts in searching for him and wish you the best of luck.