I'm devistated
 

I went out this AM, to the spot that my brother killed on 9/17. Well got in the shed, instead of the stand, becauase it was supposed to rain. Well I see my first deer at about 6:40, 2 does that were plenty close enough, just no shot. An hour and 8 deer later, I have some coming down the trail straight towards me. A doe and a fawn without spots. Well after about 3 minutes of them feeding on walnuts, I get a great opportunity to draw, so I do, and settle the top pin on the doe. She was standing behind a tree, browsing, at about 17 yards. I waited for about 40 seconds at full draw, until I had to let down. After she gets done browsing, she turns broadside and steps into the opening so I draw again, and stop her. I settle the top pin right behind the shoulder, and squeezed the trigger. The shot felt, and looked great, at first. I watched it hit her right behind the shoulder, and heard it. When she turned and ran though, I didn't get very much penetration for it being what looked to be a very well placed shot. So I call my dad up, he drives out. We found the arrow right away, with the broadhead broken off, and it looked like at the most I only got about 3-5 inches of penetration. We couldn't find a SINGLE drop of blood, besides on the arrow. We looked, and looked, and looked. Searched everywhere for blood, but still, nothing.
My eyes have been watering ever since we left, and I keep playing the shot through my head, over and over, and over.
What pisses me off the most, is that I practiced ALL year, worked on my form, shot just about every day, and this happens. I feel like I did everything right. I'm gonna go back out this evening and look for her, but I'm hoping to God that it wasn't a lethal hit. Part of me is telling me I can't shoot another one this season, the other part is telling me to go and redeem myself.
I'm also getting new broadheads tonight, the Shuttle T Locks.
Thanks for listening guys, if you want me to post pictures of the broken off arrow, compared to an unused arrow I have, I will.

Thanks again,
Rory

RE: I'm devistated
 

Sorry to hear that Rory. High In the shoulder you thinking?

RE: I'm devistated
 

keep your head up

RE: I'm devistated
 

It looked to be like the dead center of the lungs, height wise. But a little far forward, if anything.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Did you hear a big crack sound when your arrow hit It? What did It sound like when your arrow hit?

Are you switching up BH's thinking you got robbed on penetration? I'm not making no BH debate here, just asking a question bud.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Not really a crack, more of a smack.
And yes, that is the main reason I am.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Keep at it Rory. Unfortunately things like this happen. Don't let it get you down.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Lets see a pic of your arrow Rory.

RE: I'm devistated
 

How far away was it and what is your draw wieght? Also keep in mind that it could be bleeding internally and it would take some time before any blood may show up. I would not give up on her yet.
If you still do not find any blood, look for a deer walking with it's toes spread on at least one foot.
A wounded deer will walk that way to try and balance itself. An old timer up here taught me that and
it has helped me out alot.. Once you start following it again watch for any amout of deer hair on thebushes as well. No matter how small amout it may appear to you it would more than likely be
left there from the deer you are looking for. Good luck on your search for it.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Getting pictures on the computer now.
And Phil, she was standing at about 17 yards, and I shoot 63#

RE: I'm devistated
 

That sucks Rory, hopefully you will find her this evening.

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Happens to everyone,Last year I did that. I thought I got about three inches penitration but it was just blood from the impact that had sprayed three inches up on the arrow. Good luck and maybe you'll see her again.

RE: I'm devistated
 

First, don't let it tear you down, it happens to everyone. Second, 3-5 inches of penetration is enough to kill her. Third, what type of head were you shooting?? Fourth, go back and get on your hands and knees and search where the last place you saw her.. I asked about the head because if it's a fixed blade then you know the blades are already open, if it's a mech they may only be open partially if you hit boe or cartledge, but it can still be lethal.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Thanks guys.
VA, I was shooting a Rage 3 blade, but that's changing. And trust me, I searched about a 100 yard radius on my hands and knees.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Tough luck, I hope it works out for you.

Do you know how much your current arrows weigh? The FOC? You may also want to consider a heavier arrow while thinking about changing your BH. It may be to late to change this year but I use heavy arrows with a high FOC for just the scenario you have described, hitting bone.

RE: I'm devistated
 

with minimal penetration it definitely sounds like shoulder knuckle... if you did have blood to near 5 inches the deer could be fatally hit...

RE: I'm devistated
 

As has been stated, 5 inches of penetration would be enough to kill her if it hit vitals. If your up and down was good but you were forward you probably hit her shoulder bone (not the shoulder blade which is easy to penetrate) but the actual bone. Its a tough bone to crack let alone get penetration afterwards if you break it. Now it you did hit that bone and didnt break through it, there is a chance your broadhead rode around the side of the bone five inches in and you punctured a vital. Gte back out there and look buddy.

Another, you've shot and practiced all summer, worked hard and now you are somewhat blaming your broadhead. If the shot was forward, thats not the broadheads fault. You know darn well you can shoot, so stick with your current head and you'll make that shot next time.

RE: I'm devistated
 

The more I look at the arrow, the more it looks like I only got 2 or 3 inches of penetration, with the blood just being sprayed on the arrow.
MNpurple, I'm not really trying to blame my broadhead at all, I just don't have that much confidence in the as of right now. Who knows, I might by tomorrow morning, but for now, I'm switching.

But anyway, here's the arrows..

RE: I'm devistated
 

In all honesty in all of the deer I have seen shot I cannot imaging that being fatal.....my 2 cents...

RE: I'm devistated
 

Listen here bud. Get that chin up:). Now.;)

I agree with the others, it sounds like took a piece of the shoulder. Sometimes you can make a great shot and that happens. 3-5 inches is enough to slice up a lung.

Last year I double-lunged my buck. I didn't get a passthrough, but It went in up to the fletchings. It took me and my buddy and hour to find any blood, and I mean it was just specks. Another hour later, after searching on our hands and knees the entire time, we found him not 60 yards away. All the blood we saw wouldn't fill up a Dixie Cup.

Point is, don't give up. And if you do feel it wasn'tafatal hit, DO NOT let it get you down. Get right back in a treestand and go after them again. I mean, I missed the first 2 deer I ever shot at with a bow and I was devistated then, but I loved it through it all.

I see it like this. You've got experiance under your belt now. That is something that can't be bought, only learned:D. Go right back after them.:D

I won't be at the computer for the rest of the day so shoot me text if you get any updates.

Good luck man.

EDIT: Now that I can see the pic of the arrow, I don't think that is a fatal hit. I would say 95% that you lodged it in the shoulder, it broke off in there, and she ran off.

ANOTHER EDIT: She could very well be dead. My words are no expert advice. You never know sometimes;)

That's why they call it hunting:)

RE: I'm devistated
 

There is 4" of blood on the broken shaft + 3-4" of penetration from the portion of the broken shaft that is missing. I say dead deer but it will certainly be a difficult trail job. Without an exit hole, blood trails will always be more sparse. If you want her,I believe she is dead.

RE: I'm devistated
 

That has to be a shoulder blade the way you describe. Based on what I see, it probably went through the shoulder blade and snapped off as it was embedded. At 63 lbs you would think you get more penetration.

That deer could be dead. I saw it happen to someone with the same circumstance and penetration. We found the deer a week later with the arrow embedded in the shoulder blade and only 2-3 inches penetration for there was enough to bleed it to death internally. If you can get a decent tracking dog.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Yeah thats not much penetration at all. I can almost guarantee you hit that thick and heavy shoulder bone.Dont know if that coulda poked a vital or not

I'm just sayin' Rory, how much confidence are you going to have in switching to a brand new broadhead mid season, you could run into tuning issues, flight issues, etc that would just get you more frustrated than you are right now. Al though I dod not like expandables, you've seen plenty of kill son here with Rages. You know you can shoot, you were just aoff a little in this case. Chin up!

RE: I'm devistated
 

The one thing that I can't stand about carbon arrows Is the evidence they leave you with after a shot!! If an aluminum arrow hits a good solid bone and stays In the deer It will likely break off flush with the deer with hardly any bend to it. If an aluminum hits bone but Its not that solid of a bone it will bend more and then break off. From what I've seen on carbons they all do the same no matter what so I guess the picture doesn't tell me a damn thing on what I was hoping to find.

I could see this still being a lung hit In the shoulder blade being your using a 3 blade mechanical. You might have a deer down yet Rory. A 100 yard circle Is really nothing. Make a much, much bigger swing then that when you go back. I've seen double lung heart shots go over 100 yards before. I wish I could give you a hand there Rory.

Good luck buddy!!:)

RE: I'm devistated
 

Rory, hang in there bud, head back out and give it another try, you just might need to clear the ol' head and get a fresh start....Best of luck to you buddy...

RE: I'm devistated
 

I don't believe ANYONE'S arrow can completely penetrate the shoulder knuckle. NOT the shoulder blade, but the knuckle, or "joint".

RE: I'm devistated
 

100% right on if that's where you hit! Usually on a knuckle hit your lucky to get an inch or so of penetration.

RE: I'm devistated
 

SOunds like you connected with some hard shoulder bone! Chin up man get back out there and see if by chance hell show back up. He just may. I hit a great 6 pointer last year and hit him in the leg because my arrow hit a small branch i couldnt see, the next day he was standing in the cornfield infront of my stand.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Rory, this is why they call it hunting, not killing. I would at least look for her for one more day. Check out the places you think she might have gone and bedded in if the blood trail is non-existent. If you can't find her or more blood then she probably lived with that little penetration. This happens to every bowhunter, so i would use it as a learning point and not something to be down about.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Happened to me about 6 years ago. Shot a buck straight underneath the stand and for whatever reason didn't get much penetration and the broadhead broke off in his back and the arrow came out. Never found him but was a learning experience nonetheless.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Get back in there and go to the last place you saw here at. Start walking trails and making circles around that last spot looking for blood. If all else fails just start walking the trails in all the different directions looking for a down deer. Dont get down about it, as everyone has stated that happens to everybody. The only way to make yourself feel any better about it would be to get out there and do all you can to find it. If you dont find it after trying as hard as you can there is a good chance she lived and you may get another pop at her next year. Good luck

RE: I'm devistated
 

Okay..

1. The rage isnt what kept you from penetrating. But if you are going to shoot a rage, shoot the 2 blade. The three blade has smaller cutting diameter and less penetration than the 2 blade. So why shoot a 3 blade?

2. Shot placement is what stopped the arrow. You must have hit the shoulder. To only penetrate 3 inches is not the fault of a BH.

RE: I'm devistated
 

i gotta disagree there. I've done it, once on a bad shot too far forward.

Also shot a deer quartering too much and sent one at a sharp angle behind the shoulder and out through the hard "knuckle" of the hip.

100 grain Muzzy 4 blade and expedition hunter carbon arows..

it can happen.

PS-- both shots were less than 20 yards, on smallish deer, 100- 115 lbs

RE: I'm devistated
 

I'd venture to say you hit her high, and hit the shoulder blade bone. I did that on a little buck here in PA a long time ago. Killed him out of the same tree 2 weeks later.

I got both broadheads back!

If you looked as hard as you can and didn't find any blood, I'd say she's probably ok. I"m not saying to give up, but it sounds as though she'll have a sore shoulder for awhile and recover.

Your broadhead isn't the problem here. That's a tough piece of bone, some rifle bullets don't pass through that.

RE: I'm devistated
 

I really question some of you ( Matt/Schultzy) on what your refering to as "shoulder" and "shoulder joint". The shoulder is the blade and joint, if your into that, unless it's back extremely, your way far forward and high. The "elbow" blocks the heart. I'm assuming his shot is errant NOT behind the shoulder. The broadhead is NOT the cause even though I'm not a fan of the 3 blade Rage, the 2 Blade is better. The issue here is shot placement and the words Matt typed earlier on what he thought he saw was in fact not what happened. At the moment of truth, the eyes can lie to you.

Rory made a bad shot. It happens.

RE: I'm devistated
 

I can not disagree a bad shot can and will happen at times. That doesn't really matter how hard you have practiced, things can happen. I made a bad shot once when a deer tried to jump my arrow. The deer's jump was a bit slow and it graced it in the lower flank. Also the fact there was light rain going on made tracking very difficult for it. AsI had left it for an hour and then went back tracking it. A wounded deer will lay down as soon as it can get the chance to if it is not pushed. This one did but it was a surprize to find it had run up hill rather than down hill. This was the dayI had lurned to follow a wounded deer with out any blood to follow. One thing mentioned in here is circling to find the track and or blood trail.This is very important when trying to locate a wounded deer or any other animal. Looking for blood or hair on the bushes where the deer might have went threw. By taking your time and remaining calm you should be able to see what the generaldirection it is heading into. Also remember that broadhead is still in the deer cutting away as it goes so she should be laying down some place near-by. She will first find a spot she feels safe in and try to pull the rest of that arrow out with her teeth and then you will see plenty of blood. Stay calm and look for the split toes as you circle around and should should be able to locate her again. If she is still alive she will be much weaker by now from the blood loss. So again stay calm and take your time! Good Luck on locating her.

RE: I'm devistated
 

Rory,
"XXIT HAPPENS," I'm betting she dropped just enough after you released that you busted her in the blade. "OUCH," but she'll likely survive if so. You said your shooting 63#, what bow, and what DL, you look pretty tall, I'd guess 28-29" at a minimum, and depending on the bow, you may or may not have sufficient energy for that shot into a blade. I did it shooting 72# on a little deer a couple years ago, but I'm not sure on a BIG MATURE buck, I could. "Head up," and don't let it get you that far down. You're a big part of the reason your little bro got his, I'm sure, so don't let him see you down too low!!!

RE: I'm devistated
 

Doug, I'm shooting a Truth 2, 28" draw. Oh BTW I'm 5'10" 150.

Thanks for the support guys, I really do appreciate it.

RE: I'm devistated
 

I dont know when I shoot my muzzy's 125 with my bowtech commander 50-60lbs goes through the shoulder blade...And makes a perfect 3 blade cut.

RE: I'm devistated
 

:eek: