Done With Sundown Bow Huntiing
 

Yesterday, I shot a buck with my compound. I am always hesitant about hunting within 2 hours of sundown because, 3 or 4 years ago, I shot a nice buck and was unable to find him after hours of searching. Unfortunately, like yesterday, it was warm. The next morning, I found the buck but, the meat was too far gone.

I went out this morning hoping to find the buck but, although I saw the arrow hanging out, there was no blood and no sign of him. While the shot hit a good spot broadside, it did not seem to penetrate more than 1/3 of the way. I was using new Rage points.

Rather than injure or lose any more deer, I decided to cease hunting 2 hours before sundown. I know that eliminates the best hunting hours but, so be it. When gun season comes, knowing I can drop the deer quickly, I will return to normal hunting hours.

Big Bullets, I feel your pain, but a rifle doesnt always drop a deer. Ive had to track a heart shot buck over 200 yards. Every liver stuck deer I shot dropped within 50 yards. Go figure? Maybe a wider broad head? Or use a dog to track blood? Or just get closer to put a full penetrating shot on the deer? Its up to you, but In my opinion, the only advantage a gun has over modern archery equipment, is range.

I only ever lost one deer on an evening hunt. It was a doe. It was in the late season and it was cold so I knew the meat would not spoil. The only problem was I went back out the next morning and the yotes go to her first. There was a buck I shot right about sunset, but I heard him crash. I walked up on him about 1/2 an hour after it got dark. Sorry about your bad luck there. Hopefully you will be able to get back out there and enjoy some evening hunts.

Got a know your limitations. Do you practice like you would hunt? If you do then you'd know where the hit was, if not the hits are probably high and not double lunging them.

That's painful, but you gotta do what you feel comfortable with and not let other people get you down. I had a slightly similar situation on Sunday. I was hunting here in WI and had a lone doe come in just before dark, ~7:05 as best I can figure. I moved slightly to try and get her on film and she pegged me right away. She backed out a little bit gave me another shot opportunity at 20 yards broadside in the exact same location I shot a doe the weekend before. I was at full draw on her, but she pegged me again and I didn't feel comfortable letting the arrow fly in the low light on a deer that was already spooked. It got down to the low 30s that night and I'm sure she would've been fine overnight if predators didn't find her first, but with a full day of work ahead of me on Monday, I decided I wasn't comfortable with it and didn't shoot. I regret it a little bit, but looking back I feel confident I made the right decision.

Not trying to put you down or anything, I know the pain of not recovering a deer, or recovering one that's spoiled. Just sharing some anecdotal information. Good luck on future hunts doing what you enjoy.

i would check your set up sounds like it may be to light of arrow or the rage is not the right choice for your set up. i dont think tracking in the dark is all that hard if you have the right light.

Need a great light and a broadhead that gives full penetration...I've read too many stories of Rages not going all the way through...I'm still killing deer with 125gr Thunderheads...I'd go back to a regular broadhead...

If you shot a buck yesterday in Pa, you did it illegally! Regular archery doesn't open until this Saturday.

:) The story made me wonder when I first read it. Sounded too much like a story designed to put down bow hunting by a gun hunter.

Someone mentioned a bright light. I read that a kerosene lamp makes blood stand out like crazy, been looking for a one ever since just to give it a try. At any event photographing searching with a K lamp would make for some great pics.

Archery started in Pa southern region 2 weeks ago, gotta check the regs to see if was doe only or not.

It's antlerless, not "doe only", in Special Regs areas until the regular archery season opens this Saturday. That's the earliest you can legally kill a buck in Pa.

Yeahhhh its definitely illegal to shoot a buck with a rack right now until Saturday. I live in wmu 2b and its also "early antlerless season" here also. I wouldn't tell to many people you shot a buck.

dont argue with the man if he dosnt want to be out in the woods wounding deer let him go home early

I use to use an old pump, Coleman lantern with half a coffee can under the globe. It worked great. I have not tried a kerosene one.

Special regulation area.

Thanks
 

Thanks for all the comments.

As to the advantage a gun has over a bow...it is not just range, it is delivered energy (knock down power).

Range wise...the shot was at 20 yards and, I saw the arrow hit and the deer run off with it sticking out. It was hit just behind the leg a bit high. I was shooting from about 20 feet up in a tree stand.

Everything was as it should have been except.....the deer got away!

I will be out there again with a shotgun in the near future.

Sorry but there is no special regulation area where you are able to shoot a buck before sept 29th. Read the seasons and bag limits in your book that your hunting license comes with.Attachment 23274

Here's the 2nd half Attachment 23275

Thanks foxfire, this is correct. This guy has to be a nit-wit. :hit:

Guys, he said it was "special". Like super secret stuff.

Yeah, I agree. Sounds weird. I have only lost one deer Bowhunting the past 10 years. And that was a poor shot and we believe the doe made it according to our trailcams. A lot of gun hunters wound and lose deer. I only take close shots with good angles during last light. And since I started using lighted jocks, there is no doubt of the hit or where. Took a decent buck A week ago at very last light and watched the lighted knock hit right where his heart was and then pass into the cut corn still lit. Saw him crash into the opposite woods and found him a few feet inside of it. In many ways, I think bowhunters have the advantage of a code close shot in ensuring a deer goes down and can be recovered.