Ok, I have been hunting all my lefe and just took up bowhunting. I am addicted. I had been waiting all year for a big buck, I had settled in on getting a doe. Well, since I decided that 3 weeks ago, I couldn't get anything to walk within 35 yards of me. This is only my second year bowhunting and I don't feel comfortable shooting past about 25 yards right now.

Today was the day. I snuck in perfect and was in the stand 45 minutes before shooting time. The wind was blowing a about 25 mph, which wasn't ideal, but I was committed. After sitting quitely with no action for 2 1/2 hours, I heard crashing behind me and to my left and 4 does and 3 fawns stopped exactly in my opening at my previously ranged spot (20yds). One of them saw me draw and I settled in on the one in the back. I let the arrow fly and hit her a little low and a little far back. The arrow made a loud WHACK!. I almost fell out of the tree I was so excited. I watched her run off with the others and retreated to let he lie down. I waited for about 1 1/2 hours and then came back with my father to track her down. I found my arrow down the trail where she ran. It had blood covering the arrow about 5 inches from where it had broken off. She must have had 3 inches and the broadhead stuck in her. We tracked her for about 250 yards weaving in and out of the trees. Mostly drips of blood and several splotches where she stopped. I followed her trail to where my property ends and my Dad saw her and two of the other does run across the corn field (not my property). She was obviously laboring to run, but maded it across the 500 yard field. Unfortunately, the property she entered is extremely off limits. The lady that owns it will not let us or any other hunter on the property. I am devastated, needless to say. Now, I am just hoping the shot wasn't fatal. The deer always migrate back to my land, so I am hoping to got back out tomorrow after work to see if she wandered back across.

notsoLuckyone...

If she was really laboring to run, im afraid you may have made a fatal shot. I would either go talk to the property owner and plead your case. If that doesn't work i would be going it at 3am while they are asleep looking for the doe, don't just give up. Exhaust any and all possibilites before throwing in the towel. Best of luck finding her, please let us know how it turns out.

I would check with the landowner, if thats a no-go as it sounds like it will be, check with your local CO/fish and game officer. I don't know the rules where you are but here if an animal you shoot gets onto private land you are to ask permission from the landowner, and if they say no, you can contact the CO and they will come out and force the landowner to allow you to retrieve the animal. Good luck!

Chris

I agree at least try to contact the landowner and if the shoot you down contact your game official. To let it just die over there sucks and since its your first bowkill that makes it even worse.. Hope it works out for ya

That's the best advice ,talk to the land owner and then the DNR.But my opinion on the shot is if she made it 500 yrds the shot wasn't fatal.My opinion

nubo

yea it sounds like a lethal shot and do what ever you can to follow up and recover . who knows you may get an in to that taboo property if things work out. good luck

Good luck, it's all good advice!!!!

How did you get such poor penetration on a broadside hit?

I have at disagree with that Nubo. I believe virtuall every shot through the guts (sounds like it may be liver hit) is lethal. Problem is you have to wait and let them expire and from what you've told us I believe you got on the trail too early. When in doubt give them time to expire.

That's done now and the most important thing is to recover the animal. IMO you have no choice but to contact the property owner. Unless, (And I don't advocate breaking the law) you pick up the track of the animal without contacting the property owner. If you choose the later I don't recommend carring any sort of weapon except for a knife to dress the deer.

I fly straight when it comes to the law and I've been lucky enough to not have this situation arrise but IMO you must do everything to recover the animal. Keep in mind it is often easier to ask for forgivness then it is to ask permission.

*****Check the dnr website. most will have laws set for tresspassing and recovery of game. *****

Sounds like a probable gutshot, and ideally they should be given 8 hours or so to expire. So you probably pushed the deer too early. At this point, I would contact the landowner and explain that they have a dead deer on their property, that you are sorry about their inconvience, and that you would be doing everyone a favor by getting the dead animal off their property. Maybe hitting on health reasons, disease, etc. would get you in. Good luck!