Lost animals Why?
 

I have lost three first one was in my first year with the bow.I started tracking him too early and pushed out of his death bed.It started to rain and I lost him.I know this deer died he was found on a neighbors property.

Second,Non fatal hit.Saw him later in a field.

Third,Deer took a step upon release and I hit him back.Don't know of he lived or died.I'd like to think he lived because I searched for three days.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

I did the same thing as Navy this past year. Glad to see that I'm not alone.

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

Well, being experienced(lot of year bowhunting) I'll answer for everyone.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

1) Impatient... tracking too soon
2) Poor shot
3) Crossed into forbidden land
4) Stuff happens
5) The Bow Gods

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

Anybody that bowhunts, or gun hunts, or hunts period will eventually lose a wounded one. Get over it, it happens. Fodder for the antis you might argue.

HorsePucky! Far many more crawl off of the highways to suffer a worse fate.

You do your best: practice, prepare, patiently wait for the perfect shot. Discipline yourself and live by your standards and you'll minimize the wounding.

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

I'll second what Davidmil said. I liked especially to see that it didn't include &quot;equipment failure&quot;.

The one deer I lost, was given enough time to expire for the bad shot I had on him, but tresspassing pheasant hunters kicked him from his death bed and he died 1/4 mile away on the neighbors fence line. When I got to the bed 6 hours later my friend relayed what had happended as he watched the tresspassers from 3/4 mile away in his treestand.

Bottom line though.....my fault.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

Edited by - NorthJeff on 01/22/2002 14:14:29

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

I have only shot one deer, and I did recover it. But it went 400 yards thru the woods before kealing over dead with very little blood trail. So, had things been slightly different I could have lost it. Here is why.

Poor equipment choice, all my fault. I tried to use a mechanical broad head(spitfire) with a rletively light arrow and low Ke, under 50 lbs. from a short draw bow. I made a good shot just didn't get a pass thru. I think had I used a different head or a bow with more balls the deer would have dropped within 40 yards. Had I got a pass thru it would have been a double lung heart shot. It is amazing how far a deer can go with one lung a damaged heart.

Next year I'm useing steel force cut on impact heads.

Paul

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

Okay, i am still trying to figure out one thing about my deer, I didn;t lose her, but I thought I would when she tore off like she wasn't hit, but there is something that still puzzles me.
After I shot, I literally saw my fletchings sticking out of her side, they were buried up to the point where the fletchings started.
I watched where she ran and went and found the spot where i hit her
About 10 yards from that spot i found the back part of my arrow broken off, where the fletchings had been buried to.
Then about 10 yards from that, I found the front half of my arrow, it was bent near the end where it broke off, any ideas what the heck happened?
my guess is the arrow broke at the fletchings as it went in and the other part came out the other side
anybody else have any ideas?

Jennings Buckmaster Bow
.50 Cal Thompson Center Renegade

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

Bigdog Ive had a few arrows broken off like that by deer running through trees. Arrows usualy come out pretty twisted up if they dont pass through. just my observation.............hill

RE: Lost animals Why?
 

On top of Davidmil's list I'll add....

6) Poorly tuned bow/arrows/dull broadheads
7) Not matching head style to set-up
8) Poor shot SELECTION
9) Simply not reading the signs of various hits, and then not knowing how to proceed.

BigDog,
One of 2 things happened to your arrow ....first you probably hit a rib or 2 pretty hard which stopped your arrow from getting completely thru..........
Then either:
1) the movement of her near side leg pushing back against your arrow shaft as she ran broke it off
or
2) the part sticking out hit a tree or brush as she ran.
The bend was cause by a force pushing sideways on your arrow, and these are the only possible causes.
Your arrow didn't break on impact.