Lost one, long story

cousneddy · Post by **cousneddy** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:35 pm

I hunted Friday evening in 15-20 mph winds and needless to day I didn't see anything. Saturday morning I waited out the rain and wind and planned an afternoon hunt. When I got to my hunting grounds the weather had broke and the cold front had arrived. The wind was mild and from the north/northwest, perfect for my set. I am hunting a 40 acre farm that boarders the city limits. When I got to my stand at about 11:30 there were two does beside my tree. They didn't spook and just slipped off. I was hopeing they might come back by.

At about 5:00 they did come back through, but stayed behind me and out of range. The biggest doe came within 5 yards of a shooting lane, but wouldn't give me a shot. At around 6:00 I saw a lone deer feeding through some thick timber headed towards me. I could see spikes on him through binoculars. It was getting dark fast and I knew he was working too slow to make it my shooting lane before it got too dark to shoot. I looked out in front of him and found a opening. He feed right into the opening and stopped with his head down. I had my exomax settled nicely on the bar of the summit stand and took the shot.

At the shot the deer jumped straight up and took off, I lost sight of him in the fading light. I lost sound of him after about fifty yards. I stood still for about five minutes and didn't hear anything. As soon as I started getting ready to climb down I heard the deer leave, it didn't sound like he ran off, just walking. When I got to the spot where he was at the shot I found my arrow. My heart sank when I saw it had some meat, white and brown hair, and very little blood on it. I saw a couple of drops of bright red blood on the ground and backed out for the night. I didn't sleep well at all and had a sick feeling in my stomach. I have not lost many deer in my 30+ years and did not want to lose this one!

I slipped out of church early and made the drive back this morning late. I was able to trail the deer to where he was standing. There was about 10-15 drops of blood in one spot. I quickly lost the blood trail after that. I did a zig-zag pattern down the trail he took for a ways. About 120 yards from the shot I did find one more drop of blood on the trail. I spent two more hours looking around the farm and walking the perimeter fence looking to see if I could find where he jumped out.

I believe my shot was low and hit him in the leg. I was shooting for 30 yards and in the daylight it turned out to be around 36-38. There were not any bone fragments where he was standing, just a little hair and a few drops of blood. His total blood lose that I found was less than 1/4 cup. I feel really good that it was not a fatal wound and I hope to see him next weekend!

B-Logger · Post by **B-Logger** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:51 pm

It is always tough to lose one.

longwinters · Post by **longwinters** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:20 pm

You are probably right. I would think if you hit him low under the heart you would have quite a bit of blood. Now behind the heart is a different thing. Not much blood but he will die. Any chance you can go out again and see if the crows etc give you any clues?

Long

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:27 pm

Good luck getting him

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:34 pm

Deer have evolved with the ability to shut off circulation to peripheral wounds. Brown and white hair and lack of blood does sound like a leg hit. He'll likely survive, even if his led was broken. I shaved the second deer I ever shot at: White hair off the brisket no blood. He didn't even have the decency to run of..just stiff-legged away after the initial jump. On the other hand, my nephew hit one through both front legs (without breaking them) but the deer collapsed withing 100 yards form arterial blood loss.

perrysbirds · Post by **perrysbirds** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:21 pm

I know a friend that had the same thing happen to him just last week.Your story sounds identical.He had his trail camera out and a couple of days latter got the same deer on camera with a little scar but looking healthy.Might be something for you to try!

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:18 am

Sounds like you may have nicked the leg. I'd say the chance of his survival is very good.

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:43 am

He may survive unless I see him. I shot one last year that was limping around the woods.

What broadhead are you using?

cousneddy · Post by **cousneddy** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:11 pm

Long, Yes I will be keeping a very close eye on the crows and buzzards. Given his direction of travel, I spent a lot of time checking the fence where the deer cross a lot. The entire farm is fenced with web wire. I figured if he was hit bad he might have trouble jumping out and there would be hair/blood and a damaged section of wire. I found nothing.

Sumner, I am shooting slick tricks. Have been well pleased with them on previous pig and deer.

After I finished looking for him I took some time and improved the shooting lanes for that stand. Maybe they will feed back through this weekend!

dick195252 · Post by **dick195252** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:32 am

It has happened to us all at one time or another! just get back out after them again.