So I should have known today would be weird. I usually have no problem getting up for hunting, even though I work nights primarily. This morning I slept through my alarm and didn't get to the woods until a good hour after sunrise. I had a plan. I was saving this spot until peak rut, as last year I had seen a ton of activity and missed a shot on a monster (public land in PA) buck.
So. Long story short, I had the same buck, who is by now a HUGE 8-point come within a step of my shooting lane then wind me and trot off, not too spooked but enough to turn him around. Then, I had a decent six point come feeding in about a half hour before sundown. He worked his way to my least optimal shooting lane, right at the edge of my comfort zone, but being that we can't cut in PA its what I had to deal with. He was about 18 yards out. He steps into the lane broadside and stops to browse. I know I picked a spot but don't remember drawing. All I remember is the same second I let the arrow fly he decided to hop over either a lump in the ground or a stick or something and what would have been a perfect shot hits him way back, I think in the leg, and he takes off. I watched him bound off with almost my entire arrow sticking out of his hind quarters then slow to a casual walk as if nothing happened then disappear. I waited a little bit but not as long as I would have liked because it was starting to rain and getting dark at this point and I honestly knew that I wouldn't be recovering a deer tonight. I climbed down, packed up my climber and went to the shot site. No blood. Nothing. Followed his trail to the last place I saw him. Found my arrow, snapped off just below the broadhead, about two inches of blood and some hair. No blood anywhere else. So for the next few hours I search the entire area looking for any sign of blood. Nothing. Found a few tufts of white hair sitting in what looked like a spot he may have bedded down, but no blood, no smell, nothing. By now, the rain is somewhat steady and I'm relying on my flashlight and feeling like I just needlessly wounded this deer. So I tell myself I'll come back in the morning and double check but resign myself to the fact that although the deer will probably be fine, that I failed.
So I get back to the truck, realize my last arrow somehow got pulled from my bow quiver and is now hopelessly lost, start heading home and within ten minutes get a flat tire. BTW, I was riding on my spare as I had gotten a flat recently and neglected to replace it cuz I had to get new tires soon anyway. Sooooooooo, my ride is unavailable until later this afternoon and I can't even go back to check for the deer because I have work tonight. I am resigned to going tomorrow morning and looking.
What started as one of my best days this season ended up being the worst. I'm out of arrows, (about to order more as I type this). Out a couple bills for tires and absolutely sick about the deer I shot. And I've pretty much burnt my best spot for basically the season. Oh, btw, thats the first deer I've ever shot, with anything. This i only my second season. I'm not gonna let this ruin it for me, I know everyone says it happens but I was hoping it wouldn't happen on my first deer.
Given the minimal penetration (6 inches max), the lack of blood and where I think I hit him, and the fact that there was no reaction ie: limping or hunching up, do you think that besides some pain, the deer will make it?? Also, after I check again tomorrow morning, do you think that area is ruined for the season? It's in a park that gets a fair amount of non hunting pressure and hunting pressure and there is a TON of sign in this area, scrapes everywhere and a huge rub line along a transition heading into some nastiness. Maybe save it till late season?
Topic: High's and low's. Mostly low's (Read 580 times)
