Im Hurtin'
 

:(Well after a week and a half of hunting, I finally got my opportunity at a nice doe this morning. She came in perfect, 10 yards, broadside...just browsing away at the fallen locust pods. I drew my bow and placed my pin behind her shoulder and sent the arrow.......right into a limb. I hit her high, and she trotted off with her tail tucked. I could see the arrow didnt get good penetration, and was only buried in about 6 inches.

I was devastated. All the practice and hard work this summer that I was so sure would pay off....didnt.
I screwed up. I failed to notice a small, tiny, little twig that sent my arrow right into the wrong spot of a gorgeous doe.

I got down and checked the spot for blood. To my suprise she was bleeding well, and this got my spirits a little higher. I left the area for an hour and a half and went back to the blood. I went about 5 feet from where I stopped and I seen nothing, zero, Na-da. I was so disapointed I just sat in the dew covered grass and cried(yes a little wimpy, but what can you expect from a girl who just lost what could have been her second bowkill deer.)

I called a friend and asked for some help and he came over about an hour later and we picked up the trail. Pin drop after pin drop we followed and followed...looking for blood that was getting thinner and thinner. We found a good spot about 80 yards into the trail...it changed my doubting mind into thinking we might have a chance at finding this animal.

I was wrong. The bright red blood soon ran thin again and we came to a dead end. We searched and searched but came up empty. I am just completely devastated. I really dont even want to go back into the woods for a while. I just cant see how I can screw something up that I worked so hard for.

If my passion for hunting wasnt as strong as it is, I would defnitely call it quits. This is the second deer I have lost in my short 4 year career...and its just too much to handle (for me).

Just wish me luck in my future hunts, and pray for no twigs!

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Posting here won't find your deer. Twigs happen ,get back out there with some experienced help and find your deer.:eek:

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

That right there should get you back in the field and find that doe! You need to go find her, she is dead.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

I have been out there since 9 this morning. I have roamed the entire woods. I cant find her.

There was only 1 spot with bubbles....so I dont know whats wrong.

I cant help it.....

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Before you go and flame and attack her, rest assured she was on the phone with me asking for advice off and on for 8 hours while looking for this deer. She put in her time looking for this deer, and I'm totally convinced the deer is still alive. Mistakes happen, and she is totally crushed about her mistake, so please, get off your holier than thou attitude. Dragging her through the dirt wont help things. Dont assume that just because she posts her asking for condolences that she didnt give it 110%.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

KYDEERHUNTER03- How did you lose the first deer if you don't mine me asking ?Hang in there , i know you feel bad about it but it's going to happen .When your clearing your shooting lanes always check and double check to make sure you haven't over looked anything like limbs .Just remember the old saying if you fall of thr horse get right back on .Just remember the next time you get a shot at a deer clear your mine of any negetive thought befor you draw down on one Good luck to you and let me know how it turned out .

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Edit for my man Josh.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

If taking up for your friend when the first post is a typical bawanajim smartalecked answer, then yes, i am a jerk.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Josh, I can see how his post could be inflammatory. But other than that, we are all offering her encouragement.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

I don't know if these blood trackers are closed to you, but you could check:

J.R.Chappell
5513 Billtown road
Louisville,KY40299
502-817-7454
[email protected]

JasonTurpen
759 Pineywoods Road
Nancy,Ky42544
606-271-7159
[email protected]

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Its about getting good help and getting back out there?

Ask Matt how long he looked for his buck.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

I know louisville is about an hour and a half away and I have never heard of Nancy KY..... Thanks though:)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

You wont find it sitting on the computer? So searching in the dark is much better? I think the whole purpose of her post was to get encouragement and perhaps just vent about injuring a deer, not get told to get off the computer and go stumble in the dark with a very weak blood trail.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Limbs happen. I've had my share, and lucked out to either clean misses or dead deer. I know you are in a completely bummed mood. Learn from it and move on, sounds as if the deer should live. I'm not the Rah-rah go get em next time type, but I;m also not going to beat down someone in this situation. Tough times will make you better in the long run. Good luck

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Jenna it happens to everyone, the old saying- thats why they call it hunting and not killing..Everyone makes mistakes, she probably lived through it and you may get a crack at her again..

P.S. Limbs suck!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Hang in there Jenna.....Don't let it get you down, you will get another chance at her!!!! I am hoping the next time it will be a big ol' buck you got down though!!!!;)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

It's good to feel a little guilty about not finding the beast but as long as worked hard in your recovery attempt sleep easy. I hit a deer poorly last season and put in a ton of hours over a couple of days and never found him. Sure it's a drag but just do the best you can.
It does sound like if you were finding bubbles than she won't be far so don't give up to quickly and good luck.

The hurt in not finding her also makes for a good hunter.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Well said Josh! As far as I'm concerned she didn't kill this deer either. Probably a very high hit by the sounds of It. As for the bubbly blood, probably wasn't what It was. Hang In there Jenna, stuff like this happens allot to people. It happens to the best hunters out there whether they admit It or not! Get back up on that horse and ride! You will be fine, trust me!:)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Thanks Schultzy. After further talking to her, I'm 100% convinced the deer is alive. The bubbles were just small air bubbles on the plants, not the lung blood bubbles that are larger and/or frothy. That deer was hit high above the spine, and is still alive.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Thank you. I dont think the bubbles were lung bubbles. They were very tiny...and were only in a few drops. I only had one good trail and it was like 4 feet of good blood...then pin drops again.

I searched my heart out...and so did my dad and my friend. Its killin me...but like you said, even the best hunters will lose a deer sometime in their life.

Hopefully it will benefit me somehow in the end. Cuz right now I feel like crap.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

No problem Josh! I was thinking the same as you on where you think the arrow ended up.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

So where exactly was the entrance on the shot?

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

This is about where it hit. I was shocked it didnt drop her...being so close to the spine.

It confused me. I figured it would have at least clipped that artery...but I dont think it did.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

it happens. you will learn from it no doubt, but there is only one person to convince, and that is you....No need to convince any one on here, if you feel without any doubt that you gave it 110% in finding this deer, well then you did all you could. If you have a doubt that you could still find this deer, then get back out there.

Either way life will go on. Cheer up.:)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Thats awful close to that magic spot with not alot of vitals..

I've always wondered if there really is a void between the top of the lungs and the spine that you can pass right thru and still not kill the deer.
l

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Jenna, dont let it get you down to bad, it happens to all of us if you hunt long enough, some of us just experience it sooner than others. Believe me in 30 years of hunting i have had my share to. The pain your feeling is the result of respect you show for the animal and they do deserve just that ;)Im thinking the deer will probably be fine. On a good note you did everything else right, you backed out for awhile when you reconized the shot was not a good one. You looked for a very long time and headed the advice from others trying to help you. So pat your self on the back and move on. Think positive :)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

All you can do is your best, thats all anyone can ask for from you. Good luck the rest of the year. The seasonis still young. Experience is agreat teacher.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

It happens. Good luck to you in the field this season! Hopefully you can get a nice one and come on here and brag about it!:)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Its all part of the learning process. You gave it your best shot at tacking and had help........ we've all been there. Now learn from it all and get back at her. Best of luck during the season...... youre next one is gonna be a good'un!;)

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

The red dot is above the spine, she will be sore for a while, butwill be fine.
Had the same thing happen to me on a great bear only it knocked my arrow down, alls I got was Bear fat and hair, Still get sick over it when I think about it. Like HunterOpel said, thats hunting. Good luck, you still have a long season ahead of you.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

It might be a little to late but the use of hydrogen peroxide works wonders when the blood runs thin. Put it in a spray bottle and it helps. Given the location of the hit it may be hard to find blood. Listen for the birds over the next couple days. Good luck the rest of the season.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

i know your pain....all too well.

my first shot at a deer with a bow was VERY similar...only i shot at an alert buck that ducked to run at the sound of my bow...i watched the arrow flying as he was ducking...it was like a slow motion bad movie....

i searched for hours...in the dark...following a terrible trail...arrow was busted off with 2-4 inches of shaft missing and some blood on the shaft i found. only decent blood i had was when he bounded a log jam...10yds later it was back to pin drops...300yds later we lost the pin drops...took us a couple hours to get THAT far...next day i rounded up the crew and we searched for hours in the pouring rain leaving no leaf unturned...im 10000% confident he didnt die from my arrow.

did some research online and found a trad forum talking about high hits and no dead deer....there is about 4-6" above the spine that you can hit the deer and not hit anything but bone and meat...right above the vitals there is a pretty decent sized mass of backbone and ribs and shoulder above the spine...im confident thats where i hit....and sounds like thats where you hit....gimme a couple minutes, i'll try to find the link....it made me feel 10000% better....

dont give up! stuff happens...as long as lessons are learned, you'll become a better hunter(not saying your a bad hunter now...but there ALWAYS something to learn!) i literally had pics of my bow to list it for sale online...i was S I C K. i didnt hunt for a week or so...maybe more. i was crushed...guys on here talked me outta saling my bow. im glad i didnt. didnt get another shot that year, but the next year(last year) i did...and he went down quick and hard...dont give up!

maybe you can round up a couple friends and do a big body search tomorrow...i know it helped ease my mind..i had like 8 guys and we searched for hours...helped me to know that i did ALL i could possibly do and helped me be confident he was alive...

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

That shot doesn't look to be fatal...BUT if it happens to be, if there is a water source close by, I'd look around it really good, and also look for crows in the next day or so. But I really think all you got was back straps and a bunch of muscle blood at first, then it cloted up. Get back out there, you'll be fine, it happens to everyone.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

sorry no luck with my search....my team thread from that season is MIA...thats the only place i know to look...new pc so its not bookmarked on this pc....

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Jenna,
I know it is hard to not be down on yourself, but the best thing I can tell ya is to keep your head high! I have only messed up(injured) one deer and it will be a deer ill never forget! It was actually a solid 160" 8-10point in southern MD! I have never said anything about it on here, because it really is SICKENING to think about but you have to keep your head up like I said and get back out there and hammer away at them deer!!

Ohh if it makes you feel any better that buck I managed to hit square in the Ass was also due to a damn branch/twig[:@][:@]!!!

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Hey Jenna im Ronnies best friend, he told me right away when you shot it and were having problems tracking it. Go back in the mornign once youve rested and start over. Dont be discouraged. Did ROn ever tell you about the big one that I lost??? I still look for his remais to thsi day and that was 6 years ago or so. Ive lost deer and so have many others on here, hate to say it, but its a part fo hunting and its goign to happen. Hang in there kiddo. Get some rest.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

No worries... I know the same passion for hunting, and how it really can put you in a bad spot when something like this happens...Just remind yourself that it happens even to the best, I've only had it once, and you need to tell yourself, that the deer is either dead, and out of it's pain, or going to make a complete recovery... I give ya credit for sticking with it!
Gerard

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Oh jen, from your pic, ive actually shot adeer in that same spot, i got her 2 days later when she showed back up, you got nothing but muscle there hun. hang in there.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Jenna-If your entrance was where you put the red dot, then you hit above the spine. If you got poor penetration, it is probably because the arrow lodged in the loin and the cartilage behind it. I killed a buck last year with an arrow sticking out of his back. The broadhead had gone through the loin, over the spine and out of the other side. He was perfectly fine, running around chasing does when I shot him. Keep your chin up and learn from what happened. I'd say there was something wrong with you if didn't feel awful about what happened. The sick feeling in your stomach will go away and all you can do is push on and keep hunting.

RE: Im Hurtin'
 

Anyone that feels sadness about a possibly wounded animal is the people that we need in the sport of archery. If the animal perished, and we did not retrieve, natural predation would feed the food chain. I have had similar feelings, wanted to never harm another deer needlessly. Last year I hit a deer in a similar area, later saw him in my trail camera 2 weeks later. Made me feel a little better, but still a little sad. It will make you a better person to know that you can learn and can pay more attention to your surroundings ,if possible. Just today, I trimmed away the "no see-um" twigs for the 4th time before the season opens in a couple weeks. Hope I shoot only close and only have good results. I am truely glad you care. The other idiots, should hang up their gear.