Tell me I did all I could....

[Uncle Nicky]

Like it or not, no matter how great of a shot one is or how much we practice, eventually you will lose a deer. In my experience, a good blood trail that disappears is usually a muscle hit, sometimes the deer will die, sometimes it will survive.

 

Sounds like you did everything you could to retrieve it, great effort on your part.

[chas0218]

I have shot deer during gun season that had holes in their upper shoulder. Generally speaking if you put one through the "no mans land" they will live.

[SteveB]

Generally speaking if you put one through the "no mans land" they will live.

Where exactly is the "no man's land"?

[chas0218]

Where exactly is the "no man's land"?

I knew this was going to get attention.  Lets not get into this and de-rail the thread.

[Paula]

You know Steve . . . a$$

[SteveB]

I knew this was going to get attention.  Lets not get into this and de-rail the thread.

It's not derailing if accurate information is given.

Might help the OP.

[chas0218]

Well if you put it that way it is the void above the shoulder where there are no vitals. 

[moog5050]

Apexer

 

 

Sounds you like did far more than most would.  The only additional thing I can think of is to stop by today and see if you see crows circling.  I would guess liver with dark red blood, but it could be a high muscle shot too.  Don't let it deter you from getting back to hunting.  I think everyone that bow hunts for any period of time will lose a deer at some point.   The doe I lost first season hunting was gut shot and even after two days of searching, including deer search, we never found it.  It happens.

[Five Seasons]

i agree with most that you did your best. it's part of hunting unfortunately. I wont try and make you feel better by assuring you the deer will survive, because I don't think any of us can say that definitively. But they're a tough animal and the fact that you're torn up is a good way to feel. Best to try and forget and get back out there.

[ApexerER]

Thanks for the responses guys......The arrow was covered in blood from the tip to the fletch....there wasn't any trace of guts or waxy fat on the arrow. The hit was not a liver hit....the blood was not that dark..It was just not the bright color of lung blood. I have shot a deer in the liver with the rifle before. I also think if it was a liver hit I would have found the deer with the grid search we did and the time that had passed. The deer search guy could have said it was above the spine instead of below the spine. Coverage was spotty and I was having a difficult time hearing him on my cell phone from the woods but I was pretty sure he said below the spine....I don't understand how I blew the shot that badly to hit above the spine....I practice often and most of my practice is from my elevated deck to simulate the angles from the tree stand. I have never used lighted knocks....I am going to get some....I was unable to see the arrow flight and where it hit exactly. Maybe the knocks will help. Still mad at myself but I will be back out there for sure.....

[chas0218]

The nocks will most definitely help. Since I started using them I have no doubts in my mind where I have hit deer.

[SteveB]

Well if you put it that way it is the void above the shoulder where there are no vitals.

Great - thanks.

Good info.

[ApexerER]

My first thought was liver too. Where are you located? Not that it will do you any good now, but Luna and I will travel an hour and a half from Waddington.

I have no idea where Waddington is but I am hunting in East Greenbush....

[The_Real_TCIII]

Thanks for the responses guys......The arrow was covered in blood from the tip to the fletch....there wasn't any trace of guts or waxy fat on the arrow. The hit was not a liver hit....the blood was not that dark..It was just not the bright color of lung blood. I have shot a deer in the liver with the rifle before. I also think if it was a liver hit I would have found the deer with the grid search we did and the time that had passed. The deer search guy could have said it was above the spine instead of below the spine. Coverage was spotty and I was having a difficult time hearing him on my cell phone from the woods but I was pretty sure he said below the spine....I don't understand how I blew the shot that badly to hit above the spine....I practice often and most of my practice is from my elevated deck to simulate the angles from the tree stand. I have never used lighted knocks....I am going to get some....I was unable to see the arrow flight and where it hit exactly. Maybe the knocks will help. Still mad at myself but I will be back out there for sure.....

Shake it off and get back at it, you did what you could. Do you shoot with both eyes open? I could never see where I hit until I started doing that. If you consciously start trying to see your arrow you won't be following through

[ApexerER]

Shake it off and get back at it, you did what you could. Do you shoot with both eyes open? I could never see where I hit until I started doing that. If you consciously start trying to see your arrow you won't be following through

I try to practice with both eyes open with the bow, rifle and shotgun. In the heat of the moment I always seem to revert right back and close one eye. I haven't for some reason been able to shake that habit. Even when I am practicing I have to make myself open my opposite eye still......