RE: Lost my first deer
 

Bad break but it happens.

RE: Lost my first deer
 

Amen to that. Best we can do is whatever we can to minimize it's occurrence. Frankly, and I've done it, I would put my dog on a leash and have at it.

RE: Lost my first deer
 

Very depressing to not find a wounded deer .
I no of other huntersand had it happen myself ,
Realy bothered me , it was years ago and with a bow .
I,ve seen gun hunters loose deer also .
Deer are very strong and have alot of will power ,
Sometimes the way they run after a shot is as if you completly missed .
I have had neck shot ( gun) opportunities and when it connects the deer is down to stay .

RE: Lost my first deer
 

what kind of broadhead ?
Let me guess, a mechanical and you made a quartering away shot.

RE: Lost my first deer
 

Broadhead was a Rage three blade.
Shot was dead broadside @ 31 yards.
Good hit, looked to be right behind the shoulder.
Watched the arrow all the way to the target and saw the deer run with the arrow in it's side.
It is really bothering me about loosing it.
I was so confident about the shot and what I heard, I was thinking I need to get another freezer.
I waited for the shot. I had the deer there for 15 minutes and actually held at draw for about 3 minutes waiting for her to clear some branches.
I wouldn't change a thing about the shot that I took, just wish the after was different.

RE: Lost my first deer
 

what kind of penetration ? did the arrow come out the other side ?

RE: Lost my first deer
 

Looked to be half arrow penetration. ( 29" arrows ).
Never saw the other side of the deer.

RE: Lost my first deer
 

Its hard to say but you might have only got one lung, a deer can go very far with one good lung. I would like to tell you dont worry about it everyone looses one sooner or later but no, I want you to feel bad and I am glad that you do feel bad, shows you care. I have lost 3 deer and 1 hog with a bow, so I know how you feel, it absolutely sucks.
The only thing you did wrong was go look for the deer too early, you knew it was not that great of a shot, (iffy penetration) should have gave a her a few hours. But I am guilty of doing the exact same thing you did, exact same scenario too. Never found that deer either. I can tell you one thing, that deer is dead and is out there somewhere, probably expired within an hour or two.
learn from your mistake, iffy shot give them at least 2 hours, or more if it is a really bad shot, ( gut shot)
What kind speed does your bow shoot ? How much lbs are you drawing ?

RE: Lost my first deer
 

Golden Eagle Splitfire one.
315fps ( factory rating ).
70lb draw weight with 29" Easton XX75 2315 with 100gr Rage three blade.

RE: Lost my first deer
 

tough luck man..... it happens thats for sure. I do agree with zrexpilot you have you a dead deer somewhere. bummer