I shot and hit a buck at about 20 yards with 70lb, 30 carbon arrow, and 100gr Rocket Sidewinder-3. He was standing almost broadsided with head down. I shot and I heard a thud, and when he took off running I could see the arrow sticking out of his front left middle to back of shoulder. After I shot I heard branches snapping and cracking as he ran. I gave it 35 minutes and me and climber came down. I went to spot where he was and nothing, only kicked up a few leaves. followed leaves and tracks about 40 yds then up a very steep hill and found very small drops of blood on top of hill. now very few drops evey 5-10 ft or so until At about 300yds away from stand I found alot of blood(light red, small blobs of meat)Like he stood still for a while? kept finding very small amounts of blood for about 50 yds. Then found arrow with about 5 inches that were broken off. Now about 20 yds from another very steep gully and no more blood trail. Once I found the arrow it begins to pour down rain but , I was able to look around before it started and didn't see anything. so for the next 3 hrs I walked the hillsides looking in evey gully and stream I could find in the rain and found nothing. This was my first shot ever with a bow.

I have had many chances to shoot some doe this season but, I wanted My first with a bow to be Mr buck. I only take shots if they are good and I thought this was????

I'm not really sure of the hit, sounds like it might have hit the opposite shoulder or not have gotten much penetration at all. It's unfortunate that the rain wiped out the blood trail, cause I think the deer is down. Next time try waiting longer before you start to trail.

It really sounds like a single lung based on the arrow entry and the brightness of the blood. He may have been trying to remove the arrow where you found all of the blood. It sounds like the shaft was plugging the hole. Since it sounds to me like you will have no blood trail, I would first try traveling in the direction that the trail led you to. I would then do a grid search of the area. The deer is probably dead based on your description.

Update:

I was unable to return the following day because it is still pouring down rain and very windy. The day of the shot I did a grid search of the entire area and even the lowlands on a small creek. I believe that I must have hit his shoulder bone? bad penatration. There is exactly 4 inches of arrow that was broken off, thats including the broadhead. There is a cutover about a half mile away, I believe that he may have ran to it..I keep losing sleep over this deer.

I'm not understanding why you did not return. You won't go out in the rain? Why? Four inches of arrow is still enough to puncture one lung.

No, 2 hr drive and I have to be at work st 11:30

yjbates,
Well...chalk one up to experience. That deer probably died it is unfortunate that you could not recover it. As far as the losing sleep goes, you may for some time with this. My advice to you is to get back out there and learn from your mistakes:

Put the pin behind the shoulder. It's better to hit a little back(liver)than slam the shoulder blade.

If you're not sure of the hit, wait at least 1 hr. before trying to track a wounded animal. I know it's hard especially when you see blood.

You may want to try a different color fletching. Perhaps one that will show up against the brown hide.


Anyway...just my $.02 A lot of us know how you feel. It's part of the sport sometimes.


You'll have another shot.
Good luck
Jack