Disappointing Day

[Kayser]

Went out last Saturday morning- cold, slight breeze, overcast. Sat in a burr oak next to a picked corn field in the river bottoms. Around 7.30, a 4-point buck chased a nice doe across the field to me- just inside a limb I stuck in the ground at 30 paces. Drew, aimed, and finally connected! Felt good after 7 years of trying. She was mostly broadside headed left, slightly facing me, head turned back to the right, and the arrow hit just behind the shoulder below the center-line and stuck. She lowered her head, sort of moaned, spun and ran off into the swamp.

Waited over an hour, then went looking for blood. Found the arrow near the shot, less 4" length, with 5" blood up the remaining shaft. After about 300 yds, the blood trail went cold in the saw grass. Nothing. Searched for 5 hours, then another 1.5 with a dog later. Nothing. The only thing I can think of is that I hit too far forward and low and the arrow missed low, breaking off when it hit the opposite leg? I feel like hell for losing her in the swamp. Anybody know what could have happened?

[Blazerman]

If the deer was mostly broadside slightly facing you with it's head to the right and your arrow hit behind the shoulder then my guess it wasn't actually a kill shot. Based on that angle you probably didn't hit a lung or maybe one but not both and no major arteries

The deer probably went a long way and bedded down and may or may not have died eventually.

I have shot deer with a bow and your best shot is either directly broadside, behind the shoulder for a double lung, or better yet, slightly forward low behind the shoulder.for a heart lung shot. For that shot the deer should be slight ahead of you.

[Kayser]

I guess not. Went to the range today, dialed in a little better. Hopefully I'll put it a little higher next time, and a little further back. I guess I just wasn't thinking about the arrow's path, and just missed the spot. Friday's gonna be good weather again, maybe I'll get another chance.

[ciRe]

What broad heads are you using? Fixed or mechanical?

[Harps]

That's too bad. Losing a deer sucks. As the saying goes — "If in doubt, back out."

Sounds like you made a good shot, but if you have any misgivings about placement it's good to leave quietly, wait a few hours (maybe the next morning if you shot it in the evening) and come back later to look.

It happens.

[Kayser]

I was using NAP Thunderheads, 100 gr. Fixed blade, with replaceable blades. I think the shot was too forward and low, and stuck in her leg.

I did, however, get another chance last Friday morning. Deer came across the field, and into the trees 20 yds north (right, upwind) of my stand around 7am. He hit a shooting lane, I made a noise, he stopped and I shot. Couldn't find blood or the arrow, so I backed out, went to town for breakfast, drove around and scouted ducks, came back and found him 50 yds from the shot, already stiff. Found the arrow broke off in him, shaft in the heart and lungs, broadhead poking out 1/2" on the far side. Antlers were less than 3", so I was able to use the antlerless tag. Good first deer- nice body, no rack to speak of. Left the woods happy.

[Blazerman]

Good job on getting one. Sounds like a perfect kill shot. Always nice to have the first one out of the way and have some meat for the freezer. I always thought that the size you shot were the best eating. Now you can let the little ones pass and wait for a big one like this one a friend got up north in Lewis county.

[sms_alum]

We have a lease not far from where that buck was shot. They hunt near Ewing, I think his name is Tony? We definately have not seen anything like that running around so far. Good luck in the rest of your season. The should be up moving around this weekend.

[Blazerman]

Yup it was Tony.