Sleepless Night Tonight!!!!!
 

I was just going to get down out of my stand and I heard foot steps. I saw what looked to be a pretty good buck to my left. He came right in and gave me an 8 yard broadside shot. He kicked, hit the ground, got back up and bolted off. With the time and visibility, I wasn't quite sure of shot placement. I did get my arrow and it had bright red blood on it. It wasn't covered but it definitely wasn't a gut shot. I walked to the last place I saw him and there was good blood there. Since I wasn't sure of the shot placement I backed out and my son and I are going back in the morning. If I had to guess I would say he is at least 20" wide and 150" or better. I think he was at least a 10.

Hmmmm, sounds like a dead deer Cant wait to see the pictures. Good luck on the recovery. Although, we'll all have a snicker when you recover a 12" 6 pointer :s4:

-Jake

You did the right thing. Try to rest up so you are purely focused tomorrow. Good Luck!

Leaving to pick my son up now. I kept dreaming about but at least in my dreams it turned out good every time. Other than that it was difficult sleeping.

Good luck. Hopefully doing the right thing pays off.

Leaving a deer over night is never an option for me.
Unless the regulations specifically state that I an not allowed in the area at night for any reason.

Between the coyotes and the high temps here last night the animal would be of very little value to me when I recovered it.

YMMV
Good luck, Hope you find it.

After going over all the sign, the arrow, the little bit of blood, the ground we covered, and playing the shot over in my head and conversing with the tracker we came to the conclusion this deer is still on his feet. So as bad as I feel right now, I want redemption that much more.

I'd still be out there ManofTheFall. You didn't give yourself NEAR enough time to track that animal. Bad form in my book. If that deer kicked and hit the ground then more than likely you got a decent enough hit. Personally, I would be out there from daylight to dark until I found it or some sign that it wasn't a lethal hit. Pattern and grid search. You were out there what, maybe 3 hours? Hoof track it if you can't find good blood.

Yeah I'd still be out there.

I'd go check his bed.

I have to agree with super hunt54 and Rockport on this one. From the little time spent today and based on what the OP has stated, I would have been out there the entire day checking every possible place that buck could have gone.

We did go back out. Here is a pic of the arrow. What do you think about. There was very little blood on the shaft at all. Here is what was on the fletchings. Also this morning there was no buzzards, no crows. On my way home, 3 miles away I saw about 20 buzzards so i know they were definitely out today. No crows going crazy anywhere. I'm angry cause I rushed the shot, I more or less pointed instead of aiming. I was panicking cause it was low light, and I wanted to get the shot off even though it was a really close shot. I think I had a case of buck fever which hasn't happened to me in years. But after all this I have a good feeling he is alive and well.

Hard to tell from the fletching but if the shaft didn't have blood it would indicate a bad hit at least to me. Sometimes those really close shots are hard since it seems hard to believe you wouldn't hit it good. I always remember the trick shot that made me a few bucks at 3D shoots. Pick a bullseye at 5 ft and bet someone they can't hit it. Most will shoot inches below the target. Depending on the bow and sight the 40 yd pin will usually be close. Too bad it happened but that is hunting. I wish I could get a second chance on all the shots I blew over the years. Who knows you might even see that big guy again and get another chance. A buddy blew a chance and wounded on an 8 point and later in the year bagged it when the rifle season came. When he processed the deer he found his broadhead all covered with grizzle in the chest section of the deer. It passed through the sweet spot but somehow missed all the vitals and lodged on the opposite side in the ribs. Deer are a tough animal.

He's still alive!!!!! The big buck that I shot 9 days ago is definitely still alive. Yep, He's still alive but he does have a limp on his right front leg. Other than that he looks okay. He was off to my right and I saw him through some trees. I didn't think he'd see me so I grabbed my bow and he must of caught my movement. He turned and bounded a few steps then started walking and let out one snort. I guess in the low light I didn't account enough for the steep shot angle with him being so close. The hit actually looked half decent but because of the angle he is still walking. I did get a better look at his rack and I would guess he is a solid 160" or better. Now you all know what the rest of my season will be dedicated to.