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Gut shot! Got him. Update below.
I was hunting in a ground blind this afternoon on a piece of land with a small vinyard when 3 small bucks came out of the woods. The first one just had two small nubs. I normally wouldn't have shot him, but the owners want some deer gone (grapes are a lot of work). It was an easy 22 yard broadside shot andit should have been no problem. I don't know how I screwed it up but I did. [:@]I missed the rib cage by what seemed like only a coupleinches and the shot looked low in the guts. I suppose I could have gotten some liver, but the deer just hunched a little bit and walked off over the hill. I assumed from his behavior it was a straight gut shot. I looked for the arrow and couldn't find it (buried in the grass I'm sure). I was able to find the spot where he was standing before it got dark. There was some obvious blood spray (not a lot) where the arrow came out and some bits of flesh or guts or something. I just backed off and will look for him in the morning.
Any advice before I head out? |
RE: Gut shot!
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RE: Gut shot!
If the deer hunched up and walked away like he took a dump in his pants then you definately killed him.
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RE: Gut shot!
Backing out was the best thing you could have done. If you didnt push him Im sure you will find him in the morning, hopefully before the critters do.
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RE: Gut shot!
It is very likely he is dead within 300 yards, probably much less if he walked off. Gut hit deer bed quick and die where they bed. If not pushed it is usually an easy recovery - although not always an easy track to them. Pack a role of toilet paper to mark a trail so you can take a line on where he is heading when you do find sign. Luck!
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RE: Gut shot!
Your first mistake was looking for the arrow.
You saw what you believed to be a questionable shot. Watched the deer walk off all hunched up. Be patient when you run into situations like this. Could cost you the buck of a lifetime if you aren't patient. Learn to backout, and sleep on it and you'll lose a lot less deer in the future.  |
RE: Gut shot!
I got out at first light this morning. Of course, it was pouring rain so all traces of a trail were obliterated. [:@]The buck had headed over the hill into the woods, so I just started working back and forth in a grid pattern down the hill toward the creek bottom. Fortunately the leaves were pretty much down so I could see quite a bit. There was a ladder stand belonging to another guy so when I made my way to it I figured I would climb up to see what I could see. I was looking around and noticed a rock that looked surprisingly like the color of deer hair. I got down to check it out and it was him - - - - STILL ALIVE.
I thought his eyes looked funny (still dark) and his head was down on his chin and as I was staring at him I saw his chest move. He was obviously too weak to move, or so I thought. I grabbed my bow and snuck back down there. He had his head curled around so I got behind him and put another arrow through his rib cage and then he got up and ran off! He only went about 50 yards and piled up. Still, I found it was amazing that after 14 hours with a hole through his guts he was still alive, let alone able to get up and run. The toughness of these animals is incredile. |
RE: Gut shot!
ORIGINAL: 11pt The toughness of these animals is incredile. |
RE: Gut shot!
ORIGINAL: 11pt I got out at first light this morning. Of course, it was pouring rain so all traces of a trail were obliterated. [:@]The buck had headed over the hill into the woods, so I just started working back and forth in a grid pattern down the hill toward the creek bottom. Fortunately the leaves were pretty much down so I could see quite a bit. There was a ladder stand belonging to another guy so when I made my way to it I figured I would climb up to see what I could see. I was looking around and noticed a rock that looked surprisingly like the color of deer hair. I got down to check it out and it was him - - - - STILL ALIVE. I thought his eyes looked funny (still dark) and his head was down on his chin and as I was staring at him I saw his chest move. He was obviously too weak to move, or so I thought. I grabbed my bow and snuck back down there. He had his head curled around so I got behind him and put another arrow through his rib cage and then he got up and ran off! He only went about 50 yards and piled up. Still, I found it was amazing that after 14 hours with a hole through his guts he was still alive, let alone able to get up and run. The toughness of these animals is incredile. |
RE: Gut shot!
Glad you got him! Yes, they are tough...no doubt.
I've noticed that if they're laying on their chin (like you described - like a dog) they have ALWAYS been alive, no matter how dead theyappear. Now....PICS - PICS - PICS!!!!! :D |
RE: Gut shot!
Great job finding the deer and redeeming yourself on the second shot. They are amazingly tough animals, glad to hear you were able to ease his passing. Man law demands pictures though..
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RE: Gut shot!
Way to get back out there and recover your deer. I know a bunch of people would have stayed home when they seen the rain and figured there was no way to recover. Great job!!!!
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RE: Gut shot!
Yes, congratulations!
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RE: Gut shot!
Congrats. I couldnt wait to get home to see if you found him. Congrats.And like Gmil6184 said, we would like to see pictures.:)
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RE: Gut shot!
They are tough animals. Need to see some pictures .
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RE: Gut shot!
Thanks to everyone who posted their advice, especially jmbuckhunterfor directing me to the recovery thread. I often overlook the threads tacked up at the top of the board. Also thanks to everyone else for their comments.
Oddlyenough, I was killing time at the bookstore this afternoon while waiting for my wife and I was reading the current Peterson's Bowhunting. There was a really good article in there about this exact topic.I can't remember the author's name but he wassaying to give a minimum of at least 12 hours on a gut shot deerbefore trying to recover them. He also had a story about a buck he shot that was still alive when he walked up on him the next day....good article. In the interests of preventing a kick to the sack for violating man law I have attached the only picture I have. I might still get kicked but it's what I got. It's blurry, but my phone camera lens was fogged (rain). I dropped him off at the processor on the way home because after 4 hours in the rain and dragging the deer about 300 yds uphill alone (that's karma for you), I just wanted to be done with it. I thought he just had little nubs, but he was actually a yearling with both horns busted off.  |
RE: Gut shot!
Congratulations, crazy story.
Glad you got him |
RE: Gut shot!
Great job on sticking with it. You should be proud on recovering him!
Shane |
RE: Gut shot!
I can attest to the 12 hour later fact. I shot a good buck 2 years ago in the afternoon, same thing, hunched up, guts on arrow, watched him bed. Backed out, and came back and hunted spot next morning. Awhile after first light I started my search. About ready to gve up, I happen to look across a draw and there he is, with other deer, looking at me. He then bounds off, not looking really hurt, but not normal. Due to work I wasnt able to come back until 2 days later. I found him with the help of the crows at first light. Unfortunately the dogs got to him, but I did find him and I did get a cape and he is on my wall. But he did live over 18 hours that I know of.
ORIGINAL: 11pt Thanks to everyone who posted their advice, especially jmbuckhunterfor directing me to the recovery thread. I often overlook the threads tacked up at the top of the board. Also thanks to everyone else for their comments. Oddlyenough, I was killing time at the bookstore this afternoon while waiting for my wife and I was reading the current Peterson's Bowhunting. There was a really good article in there about this exact topic.I can't remember the author's name but he wassaying to give a minimum of at least 12 hours on a gut shot deerbefore trying to recover them. He also had a story about a buck he shot that was still alive when he walked up on him the next day....good article. In the interests of preventing a kick to the sack for violating man law I have attached the only picture I have. I might still get kicked but it's what I got. It's blurry, but my phone camera lens was fogged (rain). I dropped him off at the processor on the way home because after 4 hours in the rain and dragging the deer about 300 yds uphill alone (that's karma for you), I just wanted to be done with it. I thought he just had little nubs, but he was actually a yearling with both horns busted off.
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RE: Gut shot!
Congrats on finding him.
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RE: Gut shot!
congrats on finding your deer
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