Misjudged the rain

[smokin joe]

Cory,
I have a lot of respect for your last post on this thread. We bow hunters find our shot animals by blood trailing, and rain creates an ethical dilemma that we must consider. I used to hunt any time the forecast said that I would not be hunting in the rain. But, that caught up with me on the last two deer I shot. In both cases it was dry while I was hunting, but it started raining while I was blood trailing. Both trails were completely washed out and the deer were not found. The coyotes ate well, I'm sure. Now I look at the forecast for the 12 hour period after I am going hunting as well as the time I intend to hunt. I don't want to kill a deer I will not be able to find due to rain washing out the blood trail. Owning a good tracking dog could change my point of view, but for now I will pay more attention to any forecast of rain.

[Dave Lay]

congrats  Corey, And your right on pushing it, I catch myself on the edge a lot trying to hunt right in front of or behind a good rain . I’ve been lucky so far and haven’t lost one due to a washed out trail but have had to grid search a couple. I’ve to be more sensible lately , thanks for posting this hunt

[IndianaBowman]

Congrats Cory!  Just goes to show we are never to old to keep learning.  Thanks for sharing.

[olddogrib]

Cory, congrats.  I had a very similar experience about 30 years ago towards the end of my "wheelie " days.  I trailed that deer quite a ways through the Blue Ridge mountain laurel.  About 10 PM  the sparse, washed out blood trail dead-ended in the middle of a thicket.  I was disgusted for having taken the shot, but didn't realized it had doubled back was was blessed to about trip over it on the way out.  I haven't hunted in the rain since.