Last evening I ended up shooting a nice 8pt. I saw this buck come in about 60 yards away heading towards me. He turned and walked off and stopped at the crest of a steep hill. I decided I had nothing to lose so I grunted a few times at him with my mouth. He did turn and look my direction but ended up running down over the hill. I thought he somehow spotted me? Evidently he may have been chasing after some does? A couple minute later a doe walked up the hill and stood nearly where I last saw him. She stood in nearly the exact same spot for the next 25 minutes! Suddenly 2 other does came busting up the hill. He followed.
He chased them to the top of the hill. I watched them stand there until he walked up near them and then they took off out the ridge with him following. As the went out of sight I thought that was the end.
About 10 minutes later I saw movement, got the binoculars up and realized it was him heading back towards my direction. The first doe was still standing in the same spot!
As he walked towards her and got within about 10 yds of her she finally ran over the hill a little ways.
He had had enough and continued towards me. He crossed a trail and offered me a broadside shot at 20 yds. I drew and let loose. I have orange wraps on my arrow and saw it hit. It looked like a good shot but I was confused when the arrow didn't pass thru. I could see the arrow in him. This was 5:55 when I shot. I waited a little while and then climbed down to inspect. As I suspected , very little blood as the arrow was still in him. I followed a faint blood trail for about 50 yds where I found the broken back half of my arrow.
I was still convinced it was a good hit but just wasnt sure why the lack of penetration and a pass thru?
I decided to back out and wait for daylight. A friend went with me at daybreak. The bloodtrail was very weak, maybe a drop every 7-10 yards. I was starting to get a little worried! As we followed, mainly the kicked up leaves, the blood began to increase. About 250 yards into tracking, the blood really picked up, then for the next 75 or so it was really picking up. We eventually found him laying in a thicket. Rigor had set in so I figure he died last nite. I guess better safe than sorry! The front of the arrow had passed thru the other side but somehow we missed it along the trail. It was a double lung shot but I was a little high and hit the top of each lung. Thats what took so long for the blood to really start. Had to fill up inside before he started to expel much.
Homemade R/D Longbow 58" 43@25" Carbon Cabelas SST 220 with Magnus 125 gn 2 blade with 125 gn insert. Total arrow weight 575gn
One of the biggest body deer I have ever shot. 8pt and 165 lbs field dressed
Topic: Got a nice 8pt yesterday in West Virginia. With PICS (Read 1153 times)
