Last night hunting powerlines in the area I had a buck come out at 35 yards broadside which normaly would be a easy shot for me. Unfortunatly I shot way left. I initially thought I had missed right around brisket or maybe several inches higher in the lower neck, but after exisiting my tree stand at sundown I went to retrieve my arrow and found a brokern carbon arrow with blood on it. I was using fixed blade montec 62lb ross carnivore. At the shot I did hear a smack but thought the arrow had struck ledge. I found a little bit of blood in the area the deer crossed into the woods from the powerline about a ounce. Then I would find a speck here and 5 feet more another. I don't think I hit the scapula. 20 yards in I found the last 8 inches of my arrow fletching covered with red blood and I found two bone chips one about 3/4 inch long and a little less than 1/2 inch wide. They appeared to be rib bones. I searched from 6pm to 1230am last night, than again today at 7am to 3pm and no more blood. Total blood probably one ounce. I did a grid search and went a long ways. Unfortunatly last night and today very windy leaves blowing like crazy Please any suggestions welcomed.

I went back out for a couple of hours this evening no more blood. I searched every place. I checked nearby water sources bedding areas. I feel sick about it. I have never wounded/killed an animal and not made the recovery. I think I may have clipped either a front rip in brisket area or possibly offside leg bone due to the impact sound and broken arrow. I plan on going out again in the morning to try again. Is it possible he could make it? I appreciate any feedback

Its unfortunate, but sooner or later, gun or bow, something like this is going to happen. Don't let it get you down, you are doing a good job continuing the search. As for survival, we'd have to know the exact hit. If it is not hit in a vital area and infection does not set in, there is a decent chance the buck will make it. Actually hitting bone could lessen his chances. As I said, a lot depends on where and what was hit. Keep looking, especially if there is water nearby. Wounded deer often head for water and you could likely find him in or near the water. Good luck!

I appreciate the words of encouragement. I did check the water sources and will again tomorrow. I really thought the arrow went right in front of him but it must have hit his brisket and passed through clipping leg or front rib cage. The bone fragments didn't really help me pin point location. The arrow itself didnt have hair which is a first for me nor did it have much blood. The other part of arrow with fletching did have a little blood and what looked like very tiny pieces of meat. The deer spun around on impact and bolted off. I could have sworn I saw the arrow go infront of the deer by a inch I must have been mistaken. I think I pulled the shot because I was wearing a rather large jacket and didn't think that it would get in the way of string. Stupid mistake. I plan on only hunting this deer for the next couple of weeks.

Brother I'm sorry but from what you're saying it sounds like you need to chalk that one up as a loss.

Thanks for posting this just to remind everyone that a 35 yrd shot is too long for most people to successfully be consistent in making without wounding an animal. These kind of shots must be practiced daily to be used in an everyday hunting situation. Remember guys a bow is more effective the CLOSER you are to your target and is a short range weapon. I'm not going to beat up the poster of this thread because he has obviously learned from his admitted mistake and I'm sorry for his loss of an animal who could have very well survived the shot. I have seen deer survive complete pass through shots that have missed any vitals. Bad shots happen to us all, it's what you take away from them that counts! Have a great season!
Live it up! Deerwoods Doug

What you need is a good beagle to track the deer up. fHe could tell you right quick if the deer is down or if he kept going. It happens to everyone sometime or another. Hope you find him.