NonTypical

I checked one of my cams after work today. I only have 2 other pics of this buck in the last few weeks. These were from the last 2 nights. I haven't changed the time yet, so Tuesday night he came in at 5:15 pm. Hopefully I get a chance for him on Saturday.

So I decided to sleep I this morning after not only getting my buck out last night, but my buddies as well. It was a long day. Still woke up at 3am. WTF. So once it got light, I noticed a few deer munching on acorns out back. I waited for them to move on and finished my coffee. I then decided to take a few shoots with my bow in the backyard. All of a sudden this dopey spike sticks his head out of the bushes and decides to walk between me and the target at 15 yds. Now mind you my dog is out back as well keeping an eye on things. He doesn't really chase them anymore as he's not as quick as he used to be. So he's sitting there wondering what this buck is thinking and the buck walks right up to him, takes a sniff, and walks off. My dog just looks at me like what the hell was that deer thinking dad? It's on boys. Do whatever you can to get in the woods.

I'm thinking he's at least 4.5

I set up in a new tree this morning along a ridge with a pinch point. He came in at about 8:15.

So this just happened

I always carry my back tag in my pocket. Unfortunately this year on opening day, I got a ticket for that.

When I went thru this 2 years ago, I asked my Dr to test me. She gave me the whole song and dance on how there was no way I had it. I had to insist that they do the test. Of course I had it. I don't know when I was infected. It was treated and things improved. Lately I've been feeling like crap again. I think it's time to go get tested again, but this time I may go see a Rhumetologist.

Thanks Steve. I'll let you know. I might go back Wed or Thurs after work. Unfortunately Sandy was out of town on Sunday. I appreciate it.

So I spoke to the guy who shot the buck that I posted above. He said he nicked a lung and got the liver. It was a nearly identical shot as mine. That would possibly explain why I had only a few bubbles and the blood was a bit darker. I kind of feel a little better and a bit more hopeful that I still may find him. I'm going to stick to my plan and keep looking. If he died I should be able to find him this week. I have an app on my phone that tracks where I've been through the thick stuff. I'm not giving up yet. Thanks everybody for your help. I'll keep you posted if I find him.

Ok. I get it. But what I'd like to know is what killed the deer in the above pic? There is no blood coming out of his mouth or nose. It looks like a high hit.. Possible blackstrap like some have suggested where I hit mine? Or with a slight downward angle, enough to clip the top of one lung or maybe even both? Im not obsessing, but I have been thinking about it step by step, considering what I saw and what people suggested, and what transpired after the shot, so that this doesn't happen again.

About 18 ft up on level ground. 25 yd shot.

So I just came across this pic. It was shot on Saturday as well, just not sure where. Anyway the shot placement looks to be almost exactly where I hit my buck. Funny thing is, even the rack looks identical to mine. If anyone were to guess, was the hit the top of the lungs, no mans land or backstrap?

There was not many bubbles, but a few. Yes I do think it was in "no mans land". But with the exit hole a little lower, I had thought it was possible that I just got the top of the lung on the far side. Who knows for sure. What I do know is I tried very hard to locate him in the thickest stuff imaginable with no luck. It is also in some very uneven terrain so it is possible that I may have walked or crawled right by him without spotting him. I will go back and try to sniff him out this week. I hope he lived and maybe I'll get another chance at him. But until I exhausted every option looking for him, I'm going to assume he's dead,

It appeared to hit him about 6-8" down from the top of the back and exited a bit lower on the opposite side. Isn't there an area above the lungs but below the spine? Also how could there be any bubbles if I only hit backstraps?

Thanks. I do too. I just wish that I would've been able to get a dog on him today before the rain starts. I shot my bow today and everything is right on. But now when I think about what happened, I think he jumped the string when I shot causing a high hit. Right before he came in I had 4 does run by me. Less than a minute later, he runs in and stops at 25 yds broadside and looking back over his shoulder. He was already on high alert. It clicked that he wasn't chasing but was bumped. I should've aimed at the bottom of his chest instead of the middle. Not less than 30 seconds after I shot, I had 2 hunters come walking right on by. They had no idea what had transpired or that I was even there. I'm not making excuses for my shot, but now I realize why I hit him high. I really hope he's alive and I get another shot at him, but I've not given up yet. I will go back this week to look for him. With the warm temps today, it shouldn't be long before he starts to stink up the woods if he's dead.

I know that I hit backstrap but with the downward angle and the few bubbles that were present, I figured that I clipped the top of the lung on the far side. Plus the bubbles that were found when tracking came from the exit hole, not the entrance hole. I know this because there was blood on both sides of his tracks and I could tell the difference in the color of the blood.

Sandy?

I waited 5 hours before tracking. He never bedded in the 300 yds that we had blood. I know that they are tough animals and it is possible that he survived. But like I said, I've not given up just yet.

I have called 6 people from deer search. 2 were out of town. Left messages with 2 others. One # was out of service and 1 guy from westchester said he was upstate and would get back to me later. Hopefully someone comes thru.

So I searched for 4 hours. I couldn't find anymore blood. I then did a grid search thru the thickets on my hands and knees with no luck. However I did just numerous deer, but not until I was within 10 feet of them. It is very possible that I may have missed him because it is so thick. Hopefully I can get someone with a dog later today to continue looking. If not, I'll go back this week and try to smell him. However, something tells me that he is still alive. I'm not giving up yet though.

I'll be sure to share when I find him.

Thanks Steve. I'm going to head back out at first light and try to find some more sign. I have a good idea on where he was headed. If I'm unsuccessful, I'll give Sandy a call this morning for some help.

Here is just one of the many runs in the area that I believe were made by him.