Tag-team doe... it wasn't pretty!

[Tsalt]

My title provides a pretty good hint, but what does this photo tell you?

[J.W.]

It tells me that we need some more pictures! Don't hold out on us.

[far rider]

Looks like a good hit, and the makings of a good blood trail.

[Jayrod]

WE NEED PICS!!!  

[Joeabowhunter]

white hair on the ground, big drops of bright blood and feathers look clean

my guess...first arrow was a low chest/brisket.

[oldskool]

[Sockrsblur]

[Tsalt]

That was the second arrow.  Here is the first...

[Gen273]

[Tsalt]

Ok, here's the story..

My buddy Neal and I decided to set up about 60 yards apart on the edge of a power line clearing, both of us on trails the deer use to cross.  

One the way in I dipped a small rope in some doe in estrous scent and drug it down the power line clearing and in front of my stand and then walking a 15 yard circle around my stand.

[Tsalt]

About 5 pm I see deer under the powerline.   We have a food plot in the powerline cleaning and they were feeding through it.  It was a doe and two yearlings.  The doe picked up my scent drag trail and slowly started following it...

My climber was positioned very low... probably 10 feet high, but there is a tree that had been bent over forming an arch in front of me that provides some great cover.  As she moved slowly across in front of me I slowly stood and drew...

Tuned in!

Bisch

[Tsalt]

Just as I reached full draw she stopped behind a small tree.  I held... and held... and held for what seemed like about 5 seconds.  I didn't want to let down because I feared the yearlings would spot my movement and spook.  
She finally moved forward and I released.  To my disgust I watched my fletching sink into her... hip?  Her hip?  Really?  could I have possible hit her that far back?!

[Tsalt]

She bolted straight west... straight toward my buddy Neal who was just 60 yards away.  

I immediately texted Neal and asked if he saw the deer.  I said I think I hit her really far back.  

I waited for his reply...

[Tsalt]

His text to me read...

"Don't worry. I got an assist!"

[8leg-lover]

Sweet!!  

[Tsalt]

I said, "You did?"  

He said, "Yep, she stopped right under me.  We'll see who's closer to the heart."  

I couldn't believe it.  I was really relieved at this point and I was certain his arrow did the job right.  

So I got down and walked over to his stand.  He points to his arrow which is just 6 yards from his tree.  I walk to his arrow expecting it to be covered in blood... only to discover it was a greasy gut arrow!  

This poor deer!

[Tsalt]

It was last light when he shot and when we looked up to his stand from his arrow we discovered he shot thought several small branches and probably got a deflection.  

The only consolation at this point was there was pretty good blood from my shot.  We followed the blood trail across the power line clearing but decided to back out and give her some time.

[Tsalt]

Went home.... ate some deer chili and cornbread... and returned to the blood trail a couple hours later.  It was a tough trail with intermittent blood but two hours later with, with a steady rain coming down... we found her!



We felt like a couple knucklheads for making poor shots, but that's bowhunting the hard way I guess.  

We argued about who should check her!        It was apparent my shot had produced the blood so I claimed her.  

I was shooting my 61# Caribow Wolverine, Beaman Classic 400s with an original woodsman broadhead.   Neal is shooting a brand new 57# Silvertip.

[Tsalt]

Reflecting on my poor shot... I think the long hold just messed me up.  I usually reach anchor, pause a split second, and release.  I probably should have let down slowly and then redraw when I had the shot.  Every mistake is a lesson learned. I'm just thankful we found her... but she deserved a quicker cleaner death.