Joe D.

If you shot it from a tree, dig around a bit. A deer I shot at last year jumped the string, however I couldn't find the arrow. I though that I hit the deer, but after attemps to locate blood, hair, etc., I uncovered some earth and found the arrow nock almost level with the ground.

KIDD642

It is interesting to hear others respond to this and if it was not for a conversation with a gentlemen a few weeks ago I probably would not respond to it BUT here is my 2 cents:

I was talking to a gentlemen who took his to africa on a hunt for the first time with a bow. His wife although fairly proficient with a bow made a poor shot on an Impala. She hit her in the neck. There was no blood and the arrow stayed in the neck. NOW before anyone gets ahead of me. I know that an Impala is not a whitetail but they anatomy is pretty close. After the couple got back from there Safari they received a phone call from the PH (professional hunter) in Africa that they had spotted the Impala with the arrow in the neck, this is approx a week after they got back into the states, and proceeded to shoot the animal with a rifle. The PH said that the animal would have died due to infection but who knows how long that would have been. The wounded Impala appeared to be fine when the PH harvested the animal, browsing etc. but evenually would have died to infection or predation etc. So there is a little evidence that might help support PRIMETIME's case. By the way the PH sent the couple the Impalas rack Free of Charge even though later in the week she made a great shot on another Impala. Now she has two trophy's pn her wall.
[8D]
Guys please remember we are here to help each other in the sport of hunting not tear each other down. Of course there is room here for some harmless ball busting but lets keep the negatives to a min. that keeps the board fun[8D]

Primetime: Whatever the outcome goodluck and you never know you might actualy see the animal later on this week and possibly still harvest it. JMHO.

TURKEY FAN

Biggest buck i ever killed was with a neck shot.................. if it was just a muscle hit, the deer should be okay. Was your arrow deflected by something or what?

WV Hunter

Neck shots are low percentage for sure. I don't agree that a neck shot always leaves alot of blood and is usually fatal. I've seen too many things that tell me otherwise. There is alot of area that is mainly muscle where the deer is likely to survive. If you hit the jugular or spine, then you should be able to find it. If not, your chances are slim.

adams

I'm certainly not ball busting. I've given an honest opinion based on my experiences. Take it for what you will.

HuntingBry

Comments like this are the reason I hardly ever post here anymore.

Primetime, if you can't find your arrow and are sure you hit the deer do a grid search for the deer. Hopefully while doing this you'll find some sign or even better, the deer itself. Good luck.

KIDD642

HuntingBry, That was the reason for my post. I agree with you 100% Some members of the board seem to post before they think. In this sport things do happen. Primetime did NOT intend to shoot the deer in the neck. He states that in his original post. He was just searching for some advice from the board members for support. Not for negative responses.[8D]

Stryker777

In primetimes defense, I watch alot of animal planet with my kids and last week they "rescued" a deer that had an arrow through its neck. It was just fine. They cut the arrow (no idea why they didnt unscrew the point), and pulled it out. Then they put some ointment on it and turned it loose. So, after seeing that, I have to believe it is very possible for a deer to live with an arrow in its neck. Hopefully you can find it.
Stryker777

GR8atta2d

WV HUNTER is right on track. Neck shot is not neccessarily fatal. Yes you could hit the spine or the jugular in either case death is almost instantaneous with much blood (jugular) or the deer drops in his tracks (spine). Other than that most likely the deer will live if it staves of infection and such. Perhaps if you hit the esphogus alone it could die a slow agonizing death but thats a very small target.

I have killed a buck with a neck (jugular) shot as it was all that was presented and I knew I could make the shot at 18 yards. The deer crashed in sight with mucho blood spraying everywhere. Perhaps this isn't the classic double lung but i'll challenge anyone who says it wasn't an ethical shot. Only the individual releasing the arrow can evaluate his/her abilities.

I also agree with huntingbry, that we beat up why to many folks looking for help. (I'm probably guilty too). It's probably not that the others never miss or make non-lethal shots but they just know that if they post about it, they will be labeled a sloppy hunter.

Charlie P

Bees,Aren't you just all that.