Rough night bowhunting

[wisconsinteacher]

I hit a doe last night and after spending a few hours with my wife, we were not able to find her.  Other than a little blood on the arrow, we were not able to find one drop of blood.  We looked for blood for 1 hour then started walking trails looking for any sign with no luck.  The shot felt good and after the hit she took off like lightning.  I am just sick about.  What are the odds a deer can live after having an arrow go through it?

[VAlongbeard84]

Did you see exactly where you hit her, and was she broadside or quartering in or away??

[wisconsinteacher]

16 yard shot that was slightly 1/4 to me.  I waited for her front leg to step forward.  From there, it happened very fast but it looked good.  After the shot, I turned to my wife and said that I was confident in the shot and placement.  Maybe in the heat of it all, I did not see the arrows exact spot.  Still it sucks.  I posted it so I could get it off my chest and to talk to guys that have had it happen to them before.  From the looks of the arrow, I am thinking it was back and/or low.

[VAlongbeard84]

It happens to the best of us man!! Dont let it get you down. I had the same experience 2 years ago, about the same situation except at 25 yards. Know I hit her decent, very little blood and no deer. Makes for a sick feeling, that is for sure. I stil like to think that deer survived, but I have no way to tell. I hope the same for your deer also. Keep after them man, it happens to everyone at one time or another!! 

[scoot12]

Hang in there,  I hit an eight pointer about seven years ago and he ran 50 yards and fell down,  I waited about half and hour and went to where he fell,  he got up and took off,  I backed out until next day and my dad and I trailed him for about quarter of a mile and couldn't find him, made me sick also.  That was the only deer I have him and not got,  must have not him him as good as I thought.  Scoot

[drenalinld]

I have seen a bunch of deer killed that have previously had an arrow through them.  I know it makes you sick, but you will get the next one.

[wisconsinteacher]

Thanks guys.  If it was not raining right now, I would be hunting so I guess I still have the drive.  Also, thanks to OG for being supportive over something like this.  I am on another site and if this was posted, I would have been blasted for not being a better hunter.  I know it happens and sometimes you just need to hear it from others.  Next weekend I hope to post a "hero" photo.

[BOFF]

It has happened or will happen, to those of us who bow hunt. Deer are amazing and tough animals. I've seen a lot who have healed up nicely on non lethal shots, particularly when the broad heads were razor sharp, much like a scalpel cut will heal better than a dull blade.

I'd still be looking in the area. If the deer was hit high, and 1/4 away,  finding blood is almost impossible due to intestines/gut covering the hole. Personally, I'd only recommend a broadside or 1/4 away only shot, but that's just me. I just feel the kill zone gets smaller as the animal quarters to you. However, that does not mean the hit was a non lethal hit. Deer can run off quite a ways, depending on the situation.


God Bless,
David B.

[Reloader]

I've lost quite a few deer with archery tackle.  Part of the game, so don't let it get you down.  Last year I shot a doe quartering away at 25yds, followed blood for 2 hrs and never found her.  Two weeks later I had trail cam pics of her with wounds on both sides near the top of the shoulder, so it seemed she ducked a bit.  Some live, some don't.  All you can do is give it your best effort on recovery.

I shot a 7pt last year and didn't find him until the next morn.  Another nice buck took me 3 hrs to find with a perfect hit.  Some are just plain tough.

Good Luck,

Reloader

[stinkpickle]

...I am on another site and if this was posted, I would have been blasted for not being a better hunter...

That's a good way to weed out the know-it-all's.      Good luck next weekend.

[Woodsman4God]

I shot a doe couple of days ago and it had very little blood, only went 75 yards from the shot and took over an hour to find. She was double lunged and still didnt drop much blood. Single lung hits are not always fatal. If you miss by only and inch on a quartering to shot it can miss all major vitals and get nothing but guts, almost no blood and very hard to track.

Lost 3 in the last 15 years with decent blood on all of them , one each Mine, my dad and my brother. Hang in there its rough when you have to leave them

[wisconsinteacher]

I love the dog idea.  Someday when I have a house, I would love to get one and train to track.

[Gobble!]

Sorry but it happens. No matter how good I think the shot was I will normally give the deer a minimum of 2 hours before I start tracking it. When in doubt pull out!

[VAHUNTER]

it happends to us all. if it has not happen to you ?? it probably will at some point if you hunt long enough..
not a easy thing to think about or forget. i still remember a ole doe i lost when i was 12year old!!!!

do i think your deer will survive?? kinda doubt it. but it is possible. you may have dropped your arm at the release and shot real low.
like others have said ...a single lung hit is not always fatal.
do not let it get you down!!!
Best of luck with the rest of the season.

[flintlock]

Deer can be tougher than nails.  I have killed several w/broadheads in them.