Well, It was 5:35 and across the field I can barely see a deer moving. I pulled my scope up and see a nice rack and decide to take a shot. I am in a farly small tree in my climber with gusty winds I took the shot and saw the buck jump straight up in the air then run off. I looked for him for 2.5 hours and never found him. Good signs but no deer. I decided that it wasn't happening tonight so straight to the woods in the AM to try and find my prize. It is in the upper 40's now and supposed to get to 31 tonight. Will the meat still be good? never had this problem before so just curious if the meat is still edible. Thanks for any help.

Meat will be fine with those temps! Post some pictures when you get him!

You should OK with the meat assuming that you find him in the morning. Did you see any blood/etc?

Good lcuk.

Blood was found in some big spots and some little drops. There was what looked like some of the insides at a couple of the spots. Trailed for about 200 yards or more. I may have gut shot him, thouth I am not sure. Mostly lighter colored blood though. He went into briars and I was getting tore up. After I found the last blood It seemed to just end.

That is unfortunate that you lost the trail but keep looking and the meat should be still good.

5:35PM? That sounds a bit late to be taking a shot at that hour. Here in NJ at 5:35PM it's basically pitch dark even on a day that was perfectly sunny and clear.

He's using an Infared Scope!

the sun goes down later in the south. right now the sun sets in MD around 4:45.

Well I looked all day and no luck.[:@] I have been through more briars then a rabbit. It is really disappointing to me to have shot a good buck and not find him. I have shot 4 deer and up until now have never had to try and find them. I guess I will wait a couple of days and see if the buzzards are flying,would like to at least have the skull for a euro mount. I think it is bigger then the one on my wall (10pt probably 115 to 120 class)now so I hope to find him. The light was alright for a shot it was just from 180 to 190 yards in a moving tree. I must have gut shot him. Well, lets go get another one.