what do you think?

[pistolp71]

Doesn't look that far foward to me. Tough to tell though from the pic and the position of the deer. It could be the mythical place that some don't think exists...

[Buckstopshere]

Big buck like that will run a long way with a hit like that.

From the photo, could be above the backbone. The schematic is not quite correct, doesn't give the right image, in that there is more meat and skin and especially hair above the backbone. That's what we see.

When I arrow a deer, I try to say to myself, "Err on the low side, aim low." Even with a fast arrow, a deer can drop a bit at the shot. I cut up my own deer and have been doing it for 40 years. It gives one a real understanding of a deer's anatomy.

But good luck. It's a dandy buck and you just never know.

[SteveB]

Man, tough call. Could have went through "no mans land" that area above the lungs and below the spine.

Hard to put an arrow thru a spot that does not exist.

[G-Man]

looks forward thru the neck/shoulder area.. all meat .. arrow probably hit cartalige on top of scapula on both sides (thats what stopped it) I would bet its non - fatal. had a friend do this samething this weekend on a buck..just drops of blood 4oo yards never bedded or stopped walking..even made a scrape 300 yards along it s trail.. was able to follow footprints on a muddy logging road going almost 30 yards between drops of blood...

[WNYBuckHunter]

That picture tells the story, about 3 or 4 inches below the top of the back, which is over the spine. Its a meat hit and that deer is still walking.

[pistolp71]

Are you sure you guys are looking at where the broadhead hit and not where the fletching is? Where the fletching is and where it appears the broadhead hits are very different. Maybe I'm seeing things.

[Doewhacker]

I can see the hair where the arrow hit, you can also see the outline of the ribcage towards the front of the deer. Keep in mind that the buck is turned slightly in the picture too so it looks decieving. Follow the line of the leg up, the arrow is forward and high in the base of the neck.

[screamon demon]

My $.02 - too far forward. The arrow is in front of the shoulder blade towards the neck. Nice footage by the way. By my rusty trig a 24 degree angle which I feel is a nice angle. Keep after him you never know what can happen. Good Luck

[pistolp71]

So tough to tell from the pic. Definetly too far foward and too high, but I really don't think that shot is above the spine.

[damore81]

IMO that is a shoulder blade hit which explains inconsistent blood

[WNYBuckHunter]

Are you sure you guys are looking at where the broadhead hit and not where the fletching is? Where the fletching is and where it appears the broadhead hits are very different. Maybe I'm seeing things.

I am looking at both to try and judge the angle the arrow hit with.

In the pic, that deer has its left front leg in its rearward position, not straight up and down, which makes the hit look like its forward. The fletching is showing on the neck area, ahead of the shoulder, but what shows the broadhead hit is the dark patch just below and to the right of the fletching. That arrow is dead on where it needed to be left to right, but is way too high and over the spine. The red dot in this pic shows where it looks like that arrow went.

[Four Season Whitetail's]

Looks like it would have been a great shot but he either aimed to high or the buck dropped alot at the shot!! Thus a high hit..That deer is still walkin and will most likely be shot with a shotgun in a couple weeks!!!

[pistolp71]

If the arrow hit where you put the red dot, he would have been spine shot. Unless I need glasses. I am getting old.

So, if he didn't get hit in the spine and he didn't get hit in the lungs, both would have been fatal, then what mythical place is in between there that is non lethal?

[Four Season Whitetail's]

Pistol have you ever skinned a deer??? I ask this because there is a good 2in area between where the lungs lay in the chest and where the spine runs!!

[WNYBuckHunter]

If the arrow hit where you put the red dot, he would have been spine shot. Unless I need glasses. I am getting old.

So, if he didn't get hit in the spine and he didn't get hit in the lungs, both would have been fatal, then what mythical place is in between there that is non lethal?

Nope, he hit it above the spine. The spine of a deer does not run at the top of its back, especially in that area, above the shoulders.

[pistolp71]

Pistol have you ever skinned a deer??? I ask this because there is a good 2in area between where the lungs lay in the chest and where the spine runs!!

LOL, yes, only 40 or 50. I was being sarcastic with that post. I know the area you are referring.

[pistolp71]

Nope, he hit it above the spine. The spine of a deer does not run at the top of its back, especially in that area, above the shoulders.

I give up WNY. I going to see the eye doctor....

[Four Season Whitetail's]

LoL That would be a good way to get a barn burnner goin on here. Just say that bow hunters are a bunch of non-caring bunch that just go out and wound deer and not think twice about it!!!! We all know just as many are wounded and run off with gun's..Only with guns we get to hear that rapid fire 5 shot unloading of the gun runnin across the field shot's..

On another note though there has been a few more posts than normal of wounded one's on here.We all have to be on our toes to wait for our best shot's and get a good clean arrow where it needs to be!!

[WNYBuckHunter]

HAHA. The dot I put on there is above the spine.

[Larry]

Hey try this next time leave the camera home and practice more with your bow!

[growalot]

Your speaking spinal cord ...not vertebra's...did he mention the broadhead? for if it were mechanical and didn't open that is a world of difference ...and yes from what I've read that happens...but ...here we go...that diagram....not quite like what happens on live deer...

example the doe I shot the first week...I think I mentioned here...the arrow malfunctioned and the Nock remained on my bow...the shot stayed true north to south ...center...but went wide left and just infront of the rear knee...her leg was back at the time...it caught an artery on the way through and she went 15yrds and tipped over...NOW...

According to the diagram I should have had a real mess there...gut shot...right?...no the broadhead never caught any guts/intestines....Which I'm still thanking the powers that be....She had a full belly and intestines because for her size...field dressed 90#s....the gut pile was huge....

Edited November 10, 2011 by growalot

[landtracdeerhunter]

jgsbucker, What is happening? Did deer search ever show up? Are you still looking for the deer?

[JGS]

deer search never called back. searched over 6 hours, very little and sporatic blood, no arrow, nothing!

[landtracdeerhunter]

There's no question, but what that deer jumped the bow string. That would of been a great shot if he hadn't.

[Hoss315er]

Sorry for bringing up an old thread guys...but I just came acroos the post when I was doing some DeerSearch Googling. I am a member of Deer Search Finger Lakes Chapter.

First, I apologize to the hunter that called and did not get an immeadiate response. I am willing to bet that someone followed up with a phone call within a few days after your shot. We do try to call everyone back.

Most Deer Search members are working full-time and trying to hunt and track for other hunters in their free time. We are always looking for new members...and especially in Onandaga County.

Secondly, I would like to share a photo to help some hunters better understand the location of a deer's spine. I saw the still shot that this hunter posted and I would guess that buck survived.

These are not my photos, but were emailed to me for refrence and educational purpose. Take notice how low the spine is...now add the hide and hair to that!

The straw is where the arrow passed through.

Here is what a shot from a tree stand may look like if it hits too high.

So, there you go. Hope it helps someone in the future. Speaking of help; anyone interested in becoming a member of Deer Search please go here... http://deersearch.org/joining-deer-search/

Thanks.