Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

I need advice on the best way to find a gutshot deer that I hit about 40 minutes before dark tonight. Direct broadside hit at 20 yards, passthru, 1 3/8 non-helical cut, arrow is stinky with maybe some grit too (probably did get liver also). Very little blood. Deer did a wobbly jog off into the woods. I saw the arrow hit and though I had him hit thru the lung base region and was very surprised to find what I did on the arrow. Therefore I decided to wait till tomorrow am to track.
Any pearls of wisdom in finding him with maybe no or minimal blood trail? Will the meat still be good tomorrow if I do recover him or if I can't find him till Saturday will the meat still be ok? Low is supposed to be in the upper 30's here tonight, with highs in the mid 40's tomorrow and lows in the lower 30's Friday night.
I feel sick. I thought I pinned him perfectly.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

If you didn't disturb him with your initial investigation, chances are you'll find him in the first place he laid down, or maybe a second close by spot. They usually do not go far before bedding down but might get up only to bed down again a short distance later....probably under 100 yards from the shot.

Go slow, but don't be surprised if you have a decent blood trail to the animal, if he didn't go far.........he's cut and will bleed.
Meat will be fine tomorrow, and hopefully you won't still be looking Saturday.
Cross your fingers coyotes don't jump him in the night, and have your bow with you when you track.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

It happens and you did the right thing by waiting. Hopefully the deer will bed down and expire close instead of 1/2 mile away. Its cold enough not to worry, the meat will be fine. Keep us posted! Good Luck!:)

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

Good job waiting, track with your bow. Follow blood as best you can no matter how minimal, blood is always your friend, don't get ahead of yourself. Good luck.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

Definately a good move backing out till tomorrow. I hit one thru the guts when my arrow glance off a branch. That was at 4 or so that evening and I didn't go back until morning around 9. I brought a couple buddies and my father-in-law and set out after him. We had no blood, guts, track, etc. to follow just beat down deer runs that lead into my stand location. We each took a trail and my buddie chose correctly. When he was found he was still alive but too sick to get up or move for that matter. We punctured his lung with a knife and he was done seconds later.

Bring a few buddies and your bow, you just never know!!! Good luck to you.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

I had a similar thing happen earlier this season but it happened in the am. After holding for a shot for an eternity and having to let down, I was presented with a shot very quickly after. I attributr the poor shot to mussle fatigue but reguardless of the cause I hit her about 4 inches behind diaphram and pass completely through her intestines. I waited a bit and got down to recover my arrow (at this point I knew something was wrong becasue she hadn't crashed) and sure enough I had a slimy arrow. I flagged the hit and backed out immediately and went to work. I got out of work about 9 hours later and fund her lying within 40 yards of the hit right next to the creek I hunt.

IMO you did good backing out. Ifnot pushed she should be very close. I'd expect her to be within 100 yards. The tough thing will likely be tracking her. I watched the doe I shot take off so I knew where to look. Not a single drop of blood in those 40 yards. Go slow and take your time. Odds are it'll be close by. Good luck.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

hope we get a favorable update to this

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

Did you look for blood? Ive seen it where a passthrough shot has actually hit the vitals and the arrow was clean, the fletches where just a little damp. Good luck in your search.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

If you your arrow ripped through the liver it's proably been dead for awhile.

RE: Need advice STAT with gutshot tracking
 

The stomach does go into the rib cage aways!