Liver shots!
 

Okay, I constantly hear about waiting 4 to 6 hours after a liver shot to start tracking. Call me crazy, but I have noticed that the deer I have hit in the liver have died very quickly, within 40 yards and this takes place within a few seconds of the shot. I had a doe turn when I shot and I hit her straight through the liver, according to what all the "books, magazines, movies, and experts" say, I should have waited atleast 4 hours to track this deer, but I watched this deer take three hops and fall over, with 30 seconds she was dead!

What is your experience with the "liver shot"?

RE: Liver shots!
 

I've had them run 80-100 yds and fall over, and I've found them 4 hours later still alive. The majority have been the latter.

RE: Liver shots!
 

Liver hit doe I killed last year was alive after 2 1/2 hours. I got within 30 yards, all she could do was twitch an ear. I knew she would be done soon. Another arrow made it quicker.

RE: Liver shots!
 

Exactly.

Live hit deer can die very quickely depending on the hit and the hemorage however, what if they don't, kick them out and they could be gone for good. I'd rather be safe then sorry and if I recognize a liver hit, I'm waiting and recovery my animal. If it died immediately, it's still gonna be there.

RE: Liver shots!
 

That is almost word for word what I was going to write. I too have had both experiences, but jumping a deer that wasn't quite ready to give it up is a major problem. Almost lost one because of my impatience. I swore to never do that again. I wait 6 hours now for any questionable hit or if I do not hear or see them fall.

RE: Liver shots!
 

Personally, I've seen liver hit whitetails that have gone a long waysand lived a long time.

One that comes to mindthat I hit went about 300 yards before bedding, he ran though from the point of impact. We waited 5 1/2 hours and he was still alive in a bed, but couldn't get up.

Another one a friend hit. He did not run, but walked away. He went about 150 yards. We waited seven hours before looking for him, and again he was alive in a bed, but could not get up.

I'd always suggest waiting six hours if you can identify the hit on a liver.

RE: Liver shots!
 

Better safe then sorry.

Thats all there is to it. Some may expire fast but from my experience, the majority have taken several hours. Just wait it out, theres RARELY any reason not to

RE: Liver shots!
 

From trackin with a dog... The liver hit trails are the easiest for a pup to follow but as stated earlier if it's not dead you're just gonna push it. Also agreed that the time it takes for one to die is direct proportion to the amount of cutting that a bullet or broadhead has done. The liver holds a tremendous amount of blood......

RE: Liver shots!
 

I'm with the others. Why take a chance on bumping the deer? I'd rather have a dead pile of stiff venison in my hands because I waitedthan a carcass for the turkey vultures because I made a bad decision.

RE: Liver shots!
 

never rush a deer if you don't see it fall give it a couple hours

RE: Liver shots!
 

I've only ever hit 1 in the liver and she died w/in 30 seconds and 80 yards. At first, she didn't even know she was hit. She ran about 20 yards and looked back, presumeably trying to figure out what stung her...Suddenly she took off running for all she was worth and collapsed very shortly thereafter.

In fairness, though, I did clip the top of 1 lung....

I believe it depends on EXACTLY where on the liver you hit. The liver is the major blood filter, so there are lots of arteries and such, but if you would happen to miss an artery, it will take longer to bleed out.

RE: Liver shots!
 

I've only hit two deer in the liver, both died within sight.

RE: Liver shots!
 

I think that is extremely rare. Fortunate, but rare. If they die in sight then you dont have to worry about deciding on when to begin tracking ;)

RE: Liver shots!
 

Based my own experience if it does not die in sight give it at least 6 hours or more. I shot a nice six point and he stood unphased after the shot almost as if I had missed. He walked about 15 yards bedded and I watched waiting for the head to start bobbing, but it never did. After an hour on the bed he got up, walked across a field of switch grass and disappeared out of sight. After an additonal 5 hour wait we found him piled up 150 yards from the bed. If I would have pushed I probably would have lost him. It is tough to wait but it puts the odds of recovery in your favor.

RE: Liver shots!
 

I believe most deer that are lost when the hunter believed them to be hit good are liver hits and single lungers ..... I have spent hours trailing such deer, some that I have killed, and some that others have ..... with all that being said ... I completely agree with Rob and others here ...

RE: Liver shots!
 

Taking the chance of bumping a deer is the major risk, if you see the deer die then I wouldnt wait too long. A liver shot depends on where and how much of the liver is cut as to how lethal the shot is. If you hit the hepatic portal vein or hepatic artery your deer will likely bleed out within several minutes, however if you dont hit a major artery or vein it will likely take a while for the deer to die.

RE: Liver shots!
 

My dad always told me: "If he's dead, he ain't goin' nowhere. If he ain't he needs more time".

RE: Liver shots!
 

It's always better to wait (6+ hrs) if you're notsure of the hit and didn't see or hear the deer drop.

RE: Liver shots!
 

I've hit two whitetails and an impala in the liver and all died within 100 yards. All were dead within a few minutes as well.

If you hit the liver you are a little far back. Like others have said depends on where in the liver you get them. Punch them through the center and its as good as a double lung, catch the edge of it and they will likely take a long time to die.

It does filter the blood but the major vessels in the liver are veins, not arteries, filters on the low pressure side. The portal vein and caudal vena cava are the two major ones. Cut either and the deer will die in short order. Miss them and it will take a while.

RE: Liver shots!
 

Wise man, I like that.