Members hambone80 Posted September 16, 2009 Members Posted September 16, 2009 Yeah, opening day of archery season was exciting. I had high hopes today, and I bumped a good buck on my way in to hang my stand. A little before last light I was about to head out, but then I saw antlers. I took my shot and the hit looked good, but I started to think that my shot was kinda far back. My arrow was covered in blood, and the blood trail was weak. Eventually I pulled out and now I'm gonna have to track him tomarrow. I'm pretty darn bummed I didn't find him tonight.
Members hambone80 Posted September 17, 2009 Author Members Posted September 17, 2009 Well here's the skinny on last nights buck. He came in out of nowhere as most whitetails often do. I had a bit a buck fever and was caught of guard and made a hasty shot which resulted in a poor hit. The thing is I got too into the bucks reaction to the shot and ignored what my eyes inevitably saw, which was a hit that was too far back. Furthermore, the arrow was covered in dark blood and had a putrid smell to it, so I knew it was a paunch shot. However, it mule kicked and shot like a bat outta hell like a heart shot animal. I made the terrible mistake of being optimistic and ignoring the obvious, and I trailed after the buck too soon. I backed out after the blood trickeled to teeny specks and followed up first thing this morning. Still no blood to be found and I tried circling back downhill and towards water, I crawled through thickets, went wading through weeds as tall as me, and after complete exhaustion I found no dead buck. Now he's probably crow and coyote food and I'm chigger riddled and sick to my stomach for losing a truly great buck and excellent table fare. This my friends happened because of my impatience. First, I rushed the shot when there was absolutly no reason to because he wasn't spooked and completly unaware of me in a tree. I blame a case of buck fever on this because I've visioned picking a small spot on the vitals thousands of times and still I failed to do this. Secondly, I was too hasty with getting on the trail. Had I backed out immiedatly and followed up in the morning I might have a buck to my name. Always trust your gut fellas, and remember patience, patience, patience! When in doubt back out!
Samkam1 Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 Unfortunately...been there and done that (just last season lost a big 10 pointer). Great advice and thanks for sharing. We are a stubborn species and have to learn the hard way often times! Good luck on the rest of the season. I am getting ready to hit the woods this weekend...still have to put up stands and get prepared. This weather sure has been awesome though..making me a lot more excited to get out into the woods with the cool mornings/evenings. I usually wait until mid to late October...but this season may be an exception. SK
Bird Watcher Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 I don't care what anyone says...it will happen if you bowhunt long enough...Heck! it will happen if you rifle hunt long enough...You just have to learn the hard lessons and do everything you can to prevent if from happening again. Remember what Oscar Wilde said about experience..."Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." Now get back up in that tree and try again! Later. p.s. I found a lost deer once by going back a week later at daybreak and listening for where the crows congregated. They knew where he was and they were gorging on him every morning when they woke up. It's a long shot, but it might work.
zander Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 Are you allowed to use dogs to track dead deer like that in Missouri?
Samkam1 Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 MDC site -- using dogs to track game CLICK HERE
Members hambone80 Posted September 18, 2009 Author Members Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks for sharing guys. Happy and safe hunting everyone.
zander Posted October 18, 2009 Posted October 18, 2009 I had the same thing happen to me today. I shot a doe no less than 15 yards, right on the pump station and I don't know what happened. I never found my arrow and followed the blood trail for 300 yards before losing it in an old sumac jungle. I only stopped looking for it because I had to come in to work until 11:00 PM tonight. I am trying to get ahold of a conservation agent so I can use my dog to find it tmw morning. I have no idea what happened
Members hambone80 Posted October 19, 2009 Author Members Posted October 19, 2009 Hope you find her! Good luck.
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