Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Can someone please tell me what is accomplished by these threads? I understand the sorrow and frustration hunters feel, after they cant find a deer they've shot, Ive been there, it sucks, but what is it, you think anyone here can do for you? Get yourself some friends and do a grid search, its that simple, what else can be said to help you? If you really want to read more about wounding and losing deer look at the past posts on the subject, there's 3 on every page ,or better yet, read the sticky.

Refer to rule 6 of the rules of the forum about giving anti hunters something to cut and paste to their websites.

Sorry if I offended someone , with this post , not trying stir the pot, but man, am I the only one who thinks theres way too many of these lost deer threads?

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

haha I was just asking my friend the same question.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I was looking for help .....to help me search if I needed it. From it...I got a fellow forum member's aid.....a contact for a bloodtracking dog.......and some tips.

If you don't like ANY thread.....don't open it up.

I hope you aren't offended by that, either.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I agree whole-heartedly. It's like you said its heartbreaking and very frustrating, all I can see is that it helps people vent, which is understandable. But still, get out there, put your boots to the test and work tillyou find the deer.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Not everyone knows what to do when they wound an animal. Animals do weird **** that doesn't always fit into the cookie cutter "Lung/Liver/Heart/Paunch/Gut/Spine" mold we discuss normally.

Yes, there is a thread pinned to the top of the forum with suggestions, but most people's first reaction is to post a thread seeking advice.

As far as giving the PETA nuts more fuel for their fire, give me a break. :eek:It happens. We know it, they know it. If someone posts asking for advice, we asa community owe it to that person to do our best to help them.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

There is a thread at the top of the page that gives great advice. People dont look they just want answers handed to them.

As for looking for help from others,that istotally different and that is worthy of a post.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I don't understand the difference.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Has anyone on here EVER found the deer because they made a post about it and was given advice in that post that led to them finding the deer? Would they have not otherwise have found it if they would have stayed out looking?

I don't know, just asking.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Highs and Lows brother, we post our success, why not our failure too? I can see your point about the anti stuff, but if you have a good reason to make a thread, (for example my video and Jeff's help thread), then i don't see a problem.

Now if your thread is simply "i shot a booner today and couldnt find it oh well", then yea you have a very valid point my friend.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Give the Anti's fuel - Really? We are the hunters, so that makes them the????? Hunters have always survived and I am not gonna let some lil Anti take thet away from me.

As far as the other question, they want to vent most likely, and maybe wanting an experienced hunter to help them??

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

People need reinforcement and advice whether it is helpful, worthless, positive, negative, high or low..........

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Personally, I think people post these threads, looking for sympathy and someone to tell them its OK and that theyre not the only ones to go through it. Misery loves company.

No one can possibly think, someone here is going to unlock the secret location of a wounded deer ,simply by the hunter describing the event ,which oddly always seems to include a good shot they made

Like I said, been there, we all have, I honestly feel for ya, but what good does it do anyone to advertise it?

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I have gotten blasted on other boards for having this very opinion. Difference is, I'm not sorry if that opinion offends anyone. Just like I think it wrong to go sit in a cafe somewhere and talk to anyone that will listen about your bad shot, I think it is wrong to do it online. If I get blasted here, so be it.

Even worse are the posts lately about such and such animal being "down" only to find out the post came before a recovery that never materialized.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Giving the anti's fuel for their fire??? I remember a picture on here last week with 3 hunters,a pile of doves, beer in everyone's hand, and written in shotgun shells was " Peta Sux." Just about everyone on here thought it was great. IMO that is fuel for the fire. I really think when people start these threads they are looking for advice. 9 times out of 10 they just end up getting bashed. Heck, 5 times out of 10 a guy finds his deer and he still gets bashed! What the hecks the difference?

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

You don't see the difference between a coffee shop and an online forum made by hunters for hunters? :eek:

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

You want full disclosure? I'll give you full disclosure....

If you bowhunt long enough.....you're going to fit into one of the following categories:

1. You have hit and lost a deer.
2. You haven't had enough chances for No. 1 to occur, yet.
3. You're a liar.

I know people on this sit who went YEARS........YEARS....killing deer EVERY YEAR and not recovering them, before making their first successful bowkill recovery. I know another guy (another foru member)who killed three in one year (in a row) and never recovered any of them. I know of many, many others who've PM'd me their tribulations, also.

Many anumals hit and not recovered are not killed. Some are. Period.

I don't think a man needs to post every time he hits a deer......nor do I think he necessarily "needs" to post every time he sees one......or touches a new bow......gets a new buck on trail cam......or...well....I think you get the picture.;)

But does it "bother" me? Hell no. I just don't open those threads up. Novel, huh?

In reality.....a LOT of people could likely learn a LOT about blood tracking and finding downed deer if some people weren't so freaking uptight about the threads. Why? I don't get it. Maybe it reminds people too much of their own failures....and that's too much for them.

If you have never lost a deer......or injured one and couldn't find it.....refer to the first part of this post.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

My feelings on this is,
Do we just want to only read about success only?
I think not, people learn by others mistakes and losses.

But to only post half of the real stories is not any better then watching the outdoor channel. I know if we can't post loss, the site would be just as fake.


As far as giving anti hunting actvist ammo.
I seriously doubt what they get here is of any more use to them as making up crap opions on other issues to boycott hunting.

Fact remains we love what we do and missing and loss is part of it.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

What does it do?

It unleashes the collective experience and conscious of 100's of experienced bowhunters - bringing their insight and experience to bear on the tracking problem.
It solicits encouragement and support.
It standardizes tracking techniques.

This board is not restricted to any certain bowhuntingactivity. Bloodtrailing is an important part of the sport. Like Jeff said, if you shoot deer with a bow, you will eventually hit and lose one. We are failing to face reality if we do not confront this aspect of our sport and do our best to share knowledge and encouragement.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

What is being accomplished by this topic? ;)

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Actually I think its good that these posts are here, because it is a constant reminder of how things can go wrong, and how you need to be careful with every shot. Plus it educates new hunters of what can go wrong when you take that 40 yard shot when you really shouldn't. And, I think it is a waythat people ask for help, ie if someone has a piece of advice that they didn't think of. One thing I've learned from one of these posts is to use a friend's tinypoodle to help you track a deer. (although I haven't had to yet, it's always in the back of my mind)

Any posts I don't find interesting I just skip...

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Also you can learn more from a failure if you know why you failed. A rookie shooter might take a shot maybe he shouldnt have and loose a deer. By asking what he did wrong, or explaining his situation maybe some of the more experienced guys can lend a helping word to him and he wont make that mistake the next time. If he never learns then it will happen over and over. I would rather sit through the countless "OMG I lost another" threads then have that same person wounding deer season after season.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I get tired of seeing the "I hit one but can't find it" threads also. However, they do serve a purpose. These threads can help the newbies learn from other people's mistakes and bad luck. I have been hunting for 25 years now, but there are a lot of people on here who have been hunting (or bowhunting) for less than 5 years. Those are the guys that these threads can help.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

As was stated before, this is a site by hunters for hunters. If we conduct ourselves based on what others think, they win. It is no different than the terrorists (which I consider the extreme antis), if you change your activities based on their actions, they win. People come on here for many reasons (brag, pout, learn, and teach). Often, it is just to talk with other like minded people. I don't think the "lost deer" threads are any worse than the bad shot threads or the Rage wound threads. It is what it is. It is a part of hunting.

Think about it this way, if a person is blasted for a poor shot or lost deer and that makes them wait for a better angle or a closer shot next time, isn't that a good thing?

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

While I totally agree that we have seen a lot of these threads and it is "annoying", we all need a place to come when we're down in the dumps, frustrated, need some advice, etc.

As one poster stated, if you don't like the title, don't open it.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the threads that say "shot a deer, can't find it", and open it to find out the guy did very little in the first place to try to find the deer. Please, spend a whole day on the trail, collect as much information as you can, spend some more time looking, then come here for advice.

As I said before on another post, this is supposed to be a community forum as well as an informational one. Many of us think of this as our hunting camp and enjoy the company of fellow hunters.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I've got to say I'vealsonoticed alot of the 'can't find him' threads thathave been on here the last couple weeks butI certainly don't judge the guys that are having problems and I could care less about the tree-huggers. I simply hate to see an animal go wounded and unrecovered.

While nobody wants to make a bad shot, they unfortunately happen from time to time. By posting these threads they should serve notice to everyone to minimize the chance of a bad shot by:

1) Practice every spare minute youhave to fine tune your skills. Even if you think you are ready it may have been weeks or months since you last shot your bow. Be prepared.

2) Practice with all of your gear on that you'll be wearing on stand. Know your gear and make sure it works.

3) Practice from an elevated perch from every conceivable position and angle that you may decide to take inthewoods or from your actual ground blind depending on how you hunt.

4) Shooting at a block or bag is different than a living animal. Know your vitals and shoot thru them, not at them. I little bit off or a slightly bad angle is the difference between sucess and failure. Bowhunting is a game of inches.

5) Realize the responsibility you have as stewards of the land and wildlife. If the shot isn't there, don't take it. If the animal won't stop or provide an ethical angle, simply let him go. This is probably the hardestrule for some hunters to follow.

I know some will read this and think this is allcommon sense preparation, but we all need to keep drilling the basics into our heads so when the time comes, we know how to repsond.

The last thing one of our fellow hunters needs in a time of crisis is to be kicked down by his brothers. If I am correct the purpose of this forum isfor help, learning, and sharing, not togripe and bash.



.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I posted my thread on Friday.....after exhausting myself in searching on that same day (6.5hrs in really thick cover). I posted my thread to actively seek help in the search for a deer I thought was down.

I got from that......a contact for a blood tracking dog....and a fellow member to aid me in that search. We searched (I did) 9 hours that day. The dog found no sign of a dead deer.....but I felt better knowing I'd gone that (not "extra") route. I went back on the third day and searched 9 more hours. I said it in my thread.....but I didn't want to let the animal, myself, YOU GUYS or anyone else down. I gave him all I could....and he deserved that....be him alive or dead.

I don't think (personally) that keeping all such occurrences to ourselves helps anyone. If we all thoght that (on the internet, seemingly) ALL bow shots were 100% ethical and resulted in a 100% recovery rate.....we'd have a rosy picture of reality. It's simply not that way in some instances. Does it show "character"? I don't think so. Does it show respect....or the lack thereof? On occasion, yes.

Would I feel differently knowing my "board hero" had an "unknown" (or 2 or 3 or more) on his bowhunting resume'? No.

But let's not fool ourselves......if you bowhunt long enough....and you're presented enough opportunities....it's gonna happen. I wish it on no one.....but it's reality.

If the threads bother you....skip them.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

IAhuntr has made one of the best posts I have seen in recent memory. I know that the number of "lost deer" threads I have seen has pushed me to practice more than I ever have. Good points throughout.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

why do people post about what other people post about these posts do nothing.

I will post if i shoot a deer and do not find it. i feel if someone is on here talking day after day they should post about there mistakes and accomplishments. I for one will not think twice about letting you guys know i mess up so you can tell me what i did wrong.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I will agree, it does get old...but I believe there is a place and time for these. What I hate is seeing folks that are on here shortly after shooting. It's like they ran home to get online and talk about the one they gimped-- when they should be out looking for the deer. Hopefully we all learn from what happens, cause you go at it long enough - its gonna happen. We've seen it alothere this year for sure. I also don't care what the peta types think. They can get so much crap for their agenda online, one more thread ain't gonna matter.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

"Has anyone on here EVER found the deer because they made a post about it and was given advice in that post that led to them finding the deer? Would they have not otherwise have found it if they would have stayed out looking?

I don't know, just asking."

The first deer I ever arrowed I came on here and asked for help. That was in 2002. I couldnt find the deer and had noone to help me look. The guys on here gave me a ton of help and I found the buck the next day.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I disagree that if you hunt long enough,you'll lose a deer.While anyone can make a poor shot,many deer will recover.I strongly feel that any solidly hit deer,including gut-shot deer should be recovered.I get called to track alot of wounded deer because I'm on a list of people used to track deer for a controlled hunt.The absolute number one reason the vast majority of deer are not recovered is because people push them way way too fast.I've recovered several gut shot deer this year alone.50% of the time,the deer were still alive inthe morning and 100% of the time they were within 50 yards of where the hunter last saw the deer.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

You had to come on hunting net to find a guy to help you? You want people to believe you have no one in your own town or neighborhood or circle of friends to help? A tracking dog contact can be had at any local sporting goods store aswell. Didnt help you anyway by your own admission and Im truly sorry to hear that cause Ive been there but I would never spill my guts publicly about it, why would I? why do you?



When did I say I actually opened and read them? I actually dont ,cause you can tell by the title what its about and its the same story every time anyway. People know why they cant find their deer, they made a bad shot for whatever reason and the deer got away ,mabye he lived mabye not,but thinking anyone here on the net ,in most cases hundreds or even thousands of miles away, is gonna figure out the secret location of your deer, is naive.

Post what ya want, I was just curious why people do this . Again, my apologies if I offended anyone

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I feel that you would get more from posting about a lost deer that would help you find the next one.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

I hate threads complaing about lost deer threads.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Far as im concerned there is always a loss of deer, one form or another not only for bow hunting, also using a rifle.
All due to pour shot placement of malfunction.

There is no one person who will never lose a deer.
It will happen when you least expect it.
If you dont think that is true, then your very naive.

It is something you cannot control, but can do things to lessen the chances of it happening. We learn by mistakes thats the human way, even OSHA laws are written in blood.
So to see these threads and discuss what went wrong is helping others have less of a loss when they get into the woods.

If there was no talk about it, the methods and theory would not be spread around, causing way more loss then we have now.

These threads belong here, they are essential to what we love to do. There is no denying it happens. And in the same sense you would not just tell half of a story.

RE: Wounded/lost deer threads
 

Sometimes you really need to get this experience off your chest. When you can't findthe deer you shot you do feel guilt. I know I did. Wrtiting it down in words and presenting this to your peers is in itself a form of confession a catharsis if you will. You don't need to respond to it. If you do respond have some compassion and kind words for your fellow bowhunter. I agree with what GMATT said it does happen to everyone eventually, or you're a liar or you haven't taken that many shots. To those few who have recovered every animal they shot, I say you are in a great minority I salute you, but don't belittle the fellow who has come on here with a story of his loss. He feels bad enough, I know.