So Bummed Right Now

[D. Key]

Had a chance to hunt a couple of hours yesterday afternoon before dark and it was perfect; wind out of the West and NW, 57 Degrees with a light mist.  I climbed into my Game Tamer and waited.  About 6:30 3 Does came in and started to feed in front of me at 17-20 Yds.  I was going to be picky if a shot presented itself, as I have had a shot opportunity on a deer in about 5-6 years.  Slowly a young 1 1/2 year old Doe fed to within 12 Yds., slightly quartering away.  I eased the arrow back and let it go.  About mid-ship quartering away in the ribcage with only the fletching exposed.  It almost looked like the offside shoulder stopped the arrow from a pass-thru.  Waited a bit and got down with about 10 minutes of light left.  I found the arrow about 30 yds. down a lane, completely covered in blood with bubbles, so I knew it was a lung shot.  Went to the house and got a good light, went back and searched for over an hour and only found a couple of small blood drops about the size of a quarter.  Decided to wait until this morning, as the night temp was going to be in the 50's.

Got up at daylight, went back and looked until 10:30 with no success.  No blood beyond 40 yds. from the shot and the last blood I found last night so I assume the light rain washed all of the blood away.  Grid searched out to about 300 yds. with nothing.  With so few shot opportunities on my property and getting older, losing this deer was a real hit in the gut.  I feel really bad, knowing she is dead and I can't find her but I will keep looking.

Sorry for the long read but I needed to vent a bit.

[TIM B]

Bad deal there....wish I could help.  Sure the arrow didn't slip between the shoulder and the ribcage....meaning it never entered the ribcage? I did that once and it creates bubbles in the blood from the shoulder action.
Tim B

[pdk25]

Find someone with a tracking dog.

[sneakybow]

The body cavity will fill up with blood if you hit it midway up before it starts to bleed out the entrance hole. You didn't see any of the shaft or head sticking out the offside shoulder did you? Blood trails from high hits can be tricky sometimes. Any water sources close to where you shot her? I'd check around those for sure.

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[Captain*Kirk]

I second the dog and water ideas.

[Bisch]

Find someone with a tracking dog.

I don't think dogs are legal in the county he hunts!!!

Again, sorry it happened that way Doug!!!!

Bisch

[D. Key]

Thanks for the comments and encouragement.  I was about 12' high and she was about 12 yds out, slightly quartering away.  Upon impact, I saw the arrow buried to the fletching in a downward angle toward the offside shoulder.  I am certain it penetrated the off/underside, as I saw White hair on the blade when it fell out.  The entrance was about the 2nd or 3rd rib from the back, downward toward the offside shoulder, so I know it was a lethal shot.  What little blood I found was not gut, nor Liver. 

I am hunting on a pine plantation that was thinned last year and there are numerous water locations due to the recent heavy rains of late.  At this point, I don't know what else to do.  Really hate to lose an animal and after such a long dry spell, it makes it even worse.

[Bowguy67]

You can’t be sure she’s dead. If double lunged she’d not go further than your 300 yard grid search. If you hit one lung she may or may not succumb but the blood still shows bubbles. Keep looking and if she’s not there she may not be dead. You can be sure of nothing unless you find her and I hope you do. Good luck

[arrow30]

that is a bummer man, maybe she made a 90 degree turn and went  in a totally different direction.
 

[H1tman7]

Was she running on a trail after the shot? If so walk it out along with any trails that peel off or intersect it. Usually deer will stick to a trail / easy walking if they are hurting and not being pushed.