dohcrxl

Yep, today while out with my gauge enjoying the last day of small game hunting, I came across a BLOOD TRAIL!!! It was no more than a few days old and I know this because: A week ago we had abnormally warm weather here in WI and it along with the rain melted all the snow. Then,a few days ago we got a fresh half inch dusting.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the blood splatter, mostly because the season already ended January 3 andsecondly becausethis was highly utilized public land.It was bright red so I gather it was a muscle hit. I tried to follow it as far as I could but was only able to find 2 other spots (20 yards apart)where there was splatter. I then lost it among the other dozen sets of deer tracksin the snow.

The nerve, audacity, and disrespect of some people!

Charlie P

How do you know it wasn't injured in some other way> Car,coyote ,etc?

ShadowAce

Lots of idiots will shoot at deer when small game hunting. Ask any processor about the pellets that they have seen in them.

pjhunts

Could possibly be blood from a doe in peak heat. I've found areas where there were a few drops here and there

bowtech die hard

i agree pjhunts......could be from something other than a hunter....

Trembow

Lots of deer leave blood trails for days after being hit by a car. The wounds often involve mangled limbs that take a long time to heal and will leave blood trails very similar to what you describe.

ShadowAce

You didn't say anything about how much blood was there. Don't forget that bucks' pedicles bleed after shedding their antlers.

fshafly2

I too have seen post-season blood in the snow, but I have to agree with the above posts that there areother reasons for bloodthan wounding- maybe a doe had amiscarriage.
-fsh

Charlie P

Were their boot prints following this deer? If not I'd say it wasn't injured by a poacher. Especially on this highly utilized public land.

wihunter402

Not sure where you were but do keep in mind a couple of things. One is in the CWD Kill everything that moves zone (DEZ) land owners can get permits to "HUNT" until March 31st. Another thing is those farmers who get Ag Tags. I have seen them out in the fields in spring and summer.By me they use the money they get from filling the tags to pay the landownerfor the use of the land. Anyway that may be all that it is.