Molonlabemike
Well-Known Member
So I messed up my first deer and I feel like yugo about it. Yesterday I got into the tree outside LBL around 7:50am. Little later then I wanted but when you have a 2 hour drive in plus a boat ride i'm just happy to have made it. 10min into my sit I see a deer Ive never seen on camera and in the time hunting in the area never seen this deer. He's about 2 but a pinbald deer so I figured he was mine. 20 yards out I stop him, settle my pin and let it fly. Shot from my point of view was a little forward and maybe an in high (assuming it hit the shoulder). Instantly saw the shot open up, he kicks and runs off. I give it about 30 min before climbing down and seeing if I can find my arrow.
After about 15min of looking I find a piece of flesh and an arrow is not in sight. I thought remembering where I shot him location wise would be easy but I was way wrong. From the tree it was easy to spot but from the ground it changes everything. I wait about 20min and start on a small blood trail that took me about 20 more min to follow till I bump a doe. Back out and then about an hour I start back on the trail, I find the first part of the arrow and then the fletching portion of the arrow. Unfortunately no broad head was recovered. A short bit of blood later I found the first blood pool where he needed down until that doe blew him out.
From there I should have backed out and waited longer but in my mind I figured he would be dead. I started to search and unfortunately a few hours later I bumped him out of his bed. When I bumped him the 2nd time it was about 4pm and it was clear he wasn't gonna be dead for a while. I hung my head in shame and backed out, jumped in the boat and headed home as I was limited on time that I was already over.
I learned a lot from this deer. First, watch where he goes until you can't see. This sounds easy but I was working on getting a second arrow and relied on my ears to watch. Second, mark the spot I shot him in Onx to the best of my ability and probably take a photo before leaving the stand. 3rd, if I can't find significant blood or heard/saw a crash BACK OUT. 4th that toilet paper tracking trick really helps with blood trailing. Lastly I need to look at my arrows. I'm shooting a 29in carbon express Maxima RED 350 spline arrow with a 100gr G5 3 blade broad head. I'm not sure if it's because of my shot placement or too light of an arrow but I feel like it should have been a pass through at 20 yards and 70lbs on my bow.
After about 15min of looking I find a piece of flesh and an arrow is not in sight. I thought remembering where I shot him location wise would be easy but I was way wrong. From the tree it was easy to spot but from the ground it changes everything. I wait about 20min and start on a small blood trail that took me about 20 more min to follow till I bump a doe. Back out and then about an hour I start back on the trail, I find the first part of the arrow and then the fletching portion of the arrow. Unfortunately no broad head was recovered. A short bit of blood later I found the first blood pool where he needed down until that doe blew him out.
From there I should have backed out and waited longer but in my mind I figured he would be dead. I started to search and unfortunately a few hours later I bumped him out of his bed. When I bumped him the 2nd time it was about 4pm and it was clear he wasn't gonna be dead for a while. I hung my head in shame and backed out, jumped in the boat and headed home as I was limited on time that I was already over.
I learned a lot from this deer. First, watch where he goes until you can't see. This sounds easy but I was working on getting a second arrow and relied on my ears to watch. Second, mark the spot I shot him in Onx to the best of my ability and probably take a photo before leaving the stand. 3rd, if I can't find significant blood or heard/saw a crash BACK OUT. 4th that toilet paper tracking trick really helps with blood trailing. Lastly I need to look at my arrows. I'm shooting a 29in carbon express Maxima RED 350 spline arrow with a 100gr G5 3 blade broad head. I'm not sure if it's because of my shot placement or too light of an arrow but I feel like it should have been a pass through at 20 yards and 70lbs on my bow.
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