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Well, I went out today for a deer hunt. I was very excited. I had moved my stand on Friday to an active game trail I had seen deer walking down from my old stand, but just out of range. I showed up around 2:30 and spooked 2 deer that were just below my stand as I was walking in.

I settled in and started watching the wilderness. iSolunar said the hot times were from about 3:15-6:15 for my area with the peak being at 4:46. Sure enough at 4:40 I see off in the distance 3 deer walking down the game trail I had scouted out on Friday and set up my new stand.

The suspense was like something I had never experienced. I had seen deer many times in these woods, but they had always obviously been going in a different direction. These seemed like they were intent on walking down the trail my stand was on. My heart was about to jump out of my chest. I waited until they passed behind some brush on their way down and drew my bow back. Even though I had it dialed down to 58lbs it felt like a 100. My body was numb and wobbly and my heart was about to burst through my chest. I thought for sure the deer could hear my heart. They then stopped and started to take their time. I literally could not hold the bow anymore and slowly let it down. finally they started walking in again. I waited till they were behind a tree and drew back again. I then took aim at the largest doe and let my arrow fly. It felt like eternity. Then a solid THWACK. The deer jumped and then stumbled a few feet and then just stood there quivering.

I honeslty dont know what happened in those 5 seconds leading up to and after the shot. It happened so fast and the adrenaline was like something id never experienced. I thought I tried to aim and have a smooth release, but it was unlike any practice shot ive ever taken. ALmost impossible to totally focus. My brain was screaming to hurry up and take the shot before the deer bolted while my whole body quivered and my arms felt like jello. But I ended up shooting the deer around 4:45. Almost the exact moment ISolunar stated. I thought ASSA and Jehler would appreciate that.

Back to the deer. So the deer stood there for 10 minutes just kind of slumped over and quivering. then it took a few more steps and laid down. I wanted to take a second shot, but the deer had moved back behind my tree and was in thick brush. I could see it through the binos, but could not shoot it again. The deer sat for 30 minutes. Just laying there with her head up. During this time the other deer were milling around and walking up to the deer lying down. After those 30 minutes the deer stood up with the other deer and walked off with the 3 other deer milling about like nothing had happened.

I waited another hour up in the treestand. This gave me much time to reflect on what had happened. I can honestly say that was the most personal experience I had ever had. You guys can make fun of me all you want, but it was very personal to kill that large of a mammal to me. I felt very bad watching the doe quiver standing up with me helpless to put it out of its misery. In my mind I was screaming for the deer to hurry up and die.

When I got down I could not find a trail for the life of me. It was completely dark and I couldnt get started on a trail. I called it off so that I can come back tomorrow morning. I feel pretty crappy truthfully. What also sucks is that I was supposed to leave for CO for a fly fishing trip tomorrow at 7am. I am going to push that back so I can search tomorrow for the deer.

Here are some pictures:

Sitting in my stand


My Arrow:




Hair on the Arrow:


Where the Deer Stood:


Where the Deer Laid Down:


The One Spot I found between where the deer stood and laid down:


More Arrow Pics:

Nice bow.

You got good blood. Did you see the hit, or is it all a blur. If it was a blur I dont blame you, I shot my first deer this year and even though I knew the shot was good, I cant actually remember seeing it hit. I do remember hearing the THWACK though.

Rest a little easier tonight knowing you did the right thing by pulling out and going back in th morning. You'll find her.

The rush is insane. It sucks to not find one right off but you played it out exactly as you should.

I was able to look at the wound entrance with the binos. It was a little high and a far back. Probably just a little bit outside of the typical "vitals" picture on deer targets, but i was hoping within the margin of error.

ManlyMan wrote:I was able to look at the wound entrance with the binos. It was a little high and a far back. Probably just a little bit outside of the typical "vitals" picture on deer targets, but i was hoping within the margin of error.

Liver or guts? The arrow didnt look like a gut shot did it? If it was guts you should be able to smell it on the arrow.

It is not a big fail. Unless you listen to the loosers on DHC and give up.
I'm going to send you another PM with my cell and you can call me when you get discourage. Don't let jackwagons that have almost no experience bowhunting talk you out of taking care of your job.
Read this as me trying to shake you to reality.
I won't repost everything I've put on the first PM or DHC posts but, the game is not over yet.
PLEASE!!!!!! don't quit and, try to find an experienced bowhunter/ tracker or dog if legal to help.

QH's Paw wrote:It is not a big fail. Unless you listen to the loosers on DHC and give up.
I'm going to send you another PM with my cell and you can call me when you get discourage. Don't let jackwagons that have almost no experience bowhunting talk you out of taking care of your job.
Read this as me trying to shake you to reality.
I won't repost everything I've put on the first PM or DHC posts but, the game is not over yet.
PLEASE!!!!!! don't quit and, try to find an experienced bowhunter/ tracker or dog if legal to help.

X2

Manlyman, welcome to bow hunting. The first thing we have to do is get you some boots, those aren't making it. Seriously, listen to the others. Don't give up, the challenge is just starting. Get some help if you can. How far was the deer from you and how high is your stand? Starting at where you shot your deer look for additional clues like, body fat, hair color besides white, stomache contents, etc. Did the arrow smell? Are there any chunks of matter on it? The blood looks like muscle hit, not heart or lungs. Liver hit is dark red, purplish and usually fatal pretty quick. With that being said, I think your arrow went between the spine and top of the guts. If it damaged the guts, you did the right thing by backing off and letting her continue. She will lay down again and most likely pass away. But this may take quite some time which is why you don't want to push her out of the country. Take your time tracking, not only following the blood but the tracks and scuffed leaves as well. Check waist high on grass and brush as well for rubbing against these things. It is common for gut shot deer to head to water, check any ponds or creeks in the area, especially those that are downhill from the shot site. Take your time and don't give up until you are satisfied you have done everything possible. Good Luck

MuddyWaterWarlock wrote:Manlyman, welcome to bow hunting. The first thing we have to do is get you some boots, those aren't making it. Seriously, listen to the others. Don't give up, the challenge is just starting. Get some help if you can. How far was the deer from you and how high is your stand? Starting at where you shot your deer look for additional clues like, body fat, hair color besides white, stomache contents, etc. Did the arrow smell? Are there any chunks of matter on it? The blood looks like muscle hit, not heart or lungs. Liver hit is dark red, purplish and usually fatal pretty quick. With that being said, I think your arrow went between the spine and top of the guts. If it damaged the guts, you did the right thing by backing off and letting her continue. She will lay down again and most likely pass away. But this may take quite some time which is why you don't want to push her out of the country. Take your time tracking, not only following the blood but the tracks and scuffed leaves as well. Check waist high on grass and brush as well for rubbing against these things. It is common for gut shot deer to head to water, check any ponds or creeks in the area, especially those that are downhill from the shot site. Take your time and don't give up until you are satisfied you have done everything possible. Good Luck

Sage advice here, take it all in Doc.

x2 on what qh and muddy water said.


and take a dog with you when you go to look for it.

Doc, I'm not a deer hunter at all but I'd say you did the right thing. I'm sure you'll find her this morning good luck man!

Good luck. Hope you find her. Sounds like you did the right thing. Tough to leave an animal in the woods all night, but it's the right thing to do.

Without the bitterness of failure there would be no reason to pursue the sweetness of success doc. Whether you find that deer or not you should feel no guilt, there is no pretty way for a deer to meet its end. Coulda woulda shouldas have no place in your conscience. Go look for her then Go catch some trout then come back and stick another one

MuddyWaterWarlock wrote:Manlyman, welcome to bow hunting. The first thing we have to do is get you some boots, those aren't making it. Seriously, listen to the others. Don't give up, the challenge is just starting. Get some help if you can. How far was the deer from you and how high is your stand? Starting at where you shot your deer look for additional clues like, body fat, hair color besides white, stomache contents, etc. Did the arrow smell? Are there any chunks of matter on it? The blood looks like muscle hit, not heart or lungs. Liver hit is dark red, purplish and usually fatal pretty quick. With that being said, I think your arrow went between the spine and top of the guts. If it damaged the guts, you did the right thing by backing off and letting her continue. She will lay down again and most likely pass away. But this may take quite some time which is why you don't want to push her out of the country. Take your time tracking, not only following the blood but the tracks and scuffed leaves as well. Check waist high on grass and brush as well for rubbing against these things. It is common for gut shot deer to head to water, check any ponds or creeks in the area, especially those that are downhill from the shot site. Take your time and don't give up until you are satisfied you have done everything possible. Good Luck

Agreed 100%. I was thinking a muscle hit, too, especially since the fletchings look like they have meat on them, not the normal boogery blood you get with a gut exit. But then the all white hairs on the arrow made me rethink. Without smelling it, I'd still have to say muscle hit, in which case the deer will be fine, Doc.

Doc, it's what everyone said- there's no need to feel bad at all. You do your best, and that's all anyone asks for, even the deer. I've been bowhunting for 20-something years, and I'm still flummoxed more than once by something a deer does after it's shot. Learn what you can, and do what you can, and know that sometimes you lose.

And if you can't find it, (which I know you will ) all else fail get up in the treestand again and look where you think she died. That helped me when I couldn't find a deer. Congrats on the deer.

MossyMallard12 wrote:And if you can't find it, (which I know you will ) all else fail get up in the treestand again and look where you think she died. That helped me when I couldn't find a deer. Congrats on the deer.

I doubt he will find it. Success is built upon failure. EPIC FAIL!!!!!!!! Good luck next time doogie. If you were a man you would throw the intended tag in the garbage as punishment.

Doc, don't leave us hanging!!!!!!!!!

Mornin Beef wrote:if you were a man you would throw the intended tag in the garbage as punishment.

What would you know about being a man?

jehler wrote:

Mornin Beef wrote:if you were a man you would throw the intended tag in the garbage as punishment.

What would you know about being a man?

I know that going back into woods after wounding a deer for another is pure pussy and disrespect to the game im hunting.

Mornin Beef wrote:I know that going back into woods after wounding a deer for another is pure ***** and disrespect to the game im hunting.

Do ya

Mornin Beef wrote:

jehler wrote:

Mornin Beef wrote:if you were a man you would throw the intended tag in the garbage as punishment.

What would you know about being a man?

I know that going back into woods after wounding a deer for another is pure ***** and disrespect to the game im hunting.

I take this into cripple duck loss too. You probably don't count cripples you dont retrieve for your bag. I do believe you get as few cripple loss better than most veteren waterfowler though. Not trying to pick a fight and Im sure state biologists must factor this type of loss in, but I think A MAN should give up the tag and account for duck cripple loss in thier bags.

Farkin troll, always have been always will be

No offense morning not trying to pick a fight either but if you actually make an effort to find it by looking for a couple of days I believe that you tried to find your game and you should not toss your tag. It would be different if you shot it and spect an hour looking and then climbed in the stand. If you find that deer 2 days later tag it and hope for a better shot on your next deer.

jehler wrote:Farkin troll, always have been always will be

Dont let the tears drip into your pipe.

Bad17 wrote:No offense morning not trying to pick a fight either but if you actually make an effort to find it by looking for a couple of days I believe that you tried to find your game and you should not toss your tag. It would be different if you shot it and spect an hour looking and then climbed in the stand. If you find that deer 2 days later tag it and hope for a better shot on your next deer.

Respect.

AKPirate wrote:

QH's Paw wrote:It is not a big fail. Unless you listen to the loosers on DHC and give up.
I'm going to send you another PM with my cell and you can call me when you get discourage. Don't let jackwagons that have almost no experience bowhunting talk you out of taking care of your job.
Read this as me trying to shake you to reality.
I won't repost everything I've put on the first PM or DHC posts but, the game is not over yet.
PLEASE!!!!!! don't quit and, try to find an experienced bowhunter/ tracker or dog if legal to help.

X2

holy hell pirate I didn't know you were here

No word from Doc huh?

Looked but didn't find it is the word I got on facespace

jehler wrote:Looked but didn't find it is the word I got on facespace

well at least he made the effort

jehler wrote:Looked but didn't find it is the word I got on facespace

well at least he made the effort