I killed my first deer with a bow on Saturday and have a couple of questions for all of you seasoned veterans. I shot a doe at about 15 yards that was completely broadside. I thought I made a solid double lung shot and watched as the deer ran off. I never heard her go down so I started looking at the ground for my arrow thinking that I may have completely missed her. I waited for about 35 minutes before I got of my stand and went to the area where my arrow should have been. No arrow and no bloodtrail whatsoever. At this point I am fairly certain that I missed her but not wanting to push her in the event that I only wounded her, I spent another 30 minutes searching for my arrow. Still nothing and no signs of blood. So I decided to search the hillside to be certain I did not just wound her and leave her to die. Sure enough, she was about 30 yards away from where I shot her and it was a solid double lung hit and a complete pass through as evidenced by the massive hole on her other side and the large pool of blood. My questions to all of you is why no bloodtrail and where did my arrow go? Thanks in advance.

For those that may be curious, I am shooting a Mathews FX with a Muzzy ZE and used Gold Tip 5575's with Steelhead 100's.

Were you on the ground? If so, was it a high hit that clipped the top of the lungs? This could account for little to no blood as it may have been draining into the chest cavity. If you were up in a tree, the exit wound would have been on the lower part of the chest cavity, allowing the blood to drain out. Did you check a wider path than right under the deer's path. If she went down in 30 yards, you probably got an artery and blood may have spurted way out, although you would think you would be able to see some near her path. Just some thoughts from an inexperienced tracker.

The most important bloodtrail leads right to the foot of the cross

comndr45, thanks for the input. I shot her from about 18 feet up in my treestand and the exit wound was only slightly lower than the entrance wound. I did in fact check a wider path than where she ran off and found no bloodtrail until about 5 feet from where she eventually died. Thanks again.

alot of times the deer takes
off so fast when its hit that it
doesnt drop blood for the first
30 or 40 yards even with the best
hit.

Simply put, all bets are off when that arrow hits the deer. Some will lay don massive bloodtrails, while others won't. It's just the nature of the beast, so to speak.

JRW

Good job.I have seen it happen alot with a high exit wound.That's why you should allways look hard, especially if you don't find the arrow to confirm a hit or miss.
Congrats,

Billy

WHACKEM N STACKEM

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