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HE SURVIVED!

That deer is gonna be just fine. He will never reach antler potential, but he will be around next year.

2 months after the shot and only 30lbs underweight.... not gonna be a problem. Arrow didn't drop a lung, maybe didn't even penetrate through chest. He will eventually pull or break off the arrow.and be around next fall.
It could have penetrated the lung and air escaping around the arrow so the lung didn't drop…… a metallic chest tube , the arrow.
 
It could have penetrated the lung and air escaping around the arrow so the lung didn't drop…… a metallic chest tube , the arrow.
Absolutely... but based on the pic, I think it's just a likely it slid just under the ribs and didn't even hit the lung (or even stayed outside the ribs and didn't even penetrate the pkeura
 
Absolutely... but based on the pic, I think it's just a likely it slid just under the ribs and didn't even hit the lung (or even stayed outside the ribs and didn't even penetrate the pkeura
You know arrows better than I do. Those arteries under each rib bleed like stink. It would be cool to actually exam that guy up close …..

I still say that metal chest tube with feathers is keeping him alive. Who knows
 
It would be cool to actually exam that guy up close …..

It sure would. Deer surviving single lung hits is not uncommon. And I find it hard to believe that arrow didn't get at least one lung, possibly even liver. I've been a bow hunter my entire life and have seen deer tote some pretty significant damage. That shot wasn't bad.

I also don't think we can assume that is all the penetration it got. It's two months after the fact and most arrows work themselves out within moments. We have no idea how far the arrow has backed out in that time. Also can't assume it was a mechanical head because most mechanical heads have blades that articulate, which allows the arrow to back out. Whatever head was used has blades acting as a snag or barb keeping the arrow from coming out.

Would really need to kill the deer and cut it open to see what was damaged.
 
Having experienced similar situations I agree with whoever said that the arrow probably didn't get past the inside of the ribs. If so, the liver and diaphragm would have been affected causing sepsis and death.
That buck could live a long time.
I've seen arrow pieces long enough to lodge in both lungs, center shot, and completely healed over inside the chest cavity. And found these shafts, after entrance, exits, completely healed over and obviously from a previous year, no pus or sign of infection. After deer was butchered.
I believe this buck will live.
 
I think you may be right. He's been carrying that arrow for almost three months.
As someone who is an absolute expert on absolutely nothing (🙋🏻) and who hates being wrong, I hope that I'm wrong on this one. He just looks like he is on a slow decline to me. I'd have a hard time killing him if he survived though. I mean the ole guy has been through enough. What y'all think?
 
As someone who is an absolute expert on absolutely nothing (🙋🏻) and who hates being wrong, I hope that I'm wrong on this one. He just looks like he is on a slow decline to me. I'd have a hard time killing him if he survived though. I mean the ole guy has been through enough. What y'all think?

It's hard to say for certain. One thing I've learned over the years is that there are no certainties when it comes to deer. I've scratched my head wondering how a deer died from such a crappy shot, and I've scratched my head wondering how they survive seemingly perfect shots. They've made a fool of me enough that I no longer take a solid stance either way.
 
Regarding the OP, wonder if it perfectly centered a rib bone and that's why it didn't penetrate the liver or a lung?

Hoping to see more pics later.

Regardless of whether he grows more/bigger antlers or not, if I had a shot at him in the fall, I'd take it and do a thorough necropsy. Then again, he's proven he's tough. He may be unkillable!
 
I killed a deer that had been shot twice before and healed. One was a double lung pass through and the other left a broadhead and few inches of antler lodged in shoulder. The icing on the cake was when taxidermist was caping him we found another buck's antler tip broken off in his skull. I've posted pics several times.

Point being is deer can endure shots that we are certain should be fatal. They take damage to their organs and survive. The deer in this thread very well could have damaged liver and lungs and still be alive. They are incredibly durable.
 

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