Big buck tonight- bad shot

[philsanchez76]

Well I took off yesterday and today and have been hunting hard to get this big guy before muzzleloader opens up on public. Saw him last night and then actually got a shot off on him tonight right at closing time. I saw the lighted nock stray off course just a little. Pretty sure I hit a small twig. The deer reared up on his hind legs and then tore out of there into of course the most ungodly 10 foot high blackberry thicket. After I calmed down, got down and found the arrow. Had very light blood on it and it did smell a little like I may have hit guts. I knew it was gonna be 24 degrees tonight so I decided to back out immediately. Headed back tomorrow morning. Anyone have a dog recommendation for Rutherford county? First time ive had to do this. I really want to find him. He'd be my best buck to date for sure.

 

[philsanchez76]

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Good luck

 

[knightrider]

Definitely made the right call gonna be a nasty gut job

 

[megalomaniac]

Dead deer 8h from now. Dog will go right to him

 

[Wolverine72]

Pm sent

 

[Livin2hunt]

Send pics in the morning. Bet you find him pretty quick.

 

[philsanchez76]

thx yall.

 

[philsanchez76]

I will update with a pic for sure.

 

[Dennis]

Thinking you hit stomach. Dog should find it.

 

[Ski]

If you didn't push it you'll find him pretty easy. Hope it goes well! Can't wait for pics

 

[rem270]

I say you did right on backing out. Hope you find him in the morning.

 

[Heath423]

Good luck in the morning and will be awaiting pics

 

[Gravey]

Good call backing out. Bet you find him 100 yards or so away as long as he doesn't get bumped. Good luck and hope to see pics tomorrow.

 

[Ski]

Blood doesn't look all that bad to me, plus it appears a pass through. I bet he's dead and stiff already, but will still be just as dead and stiff in the morning. It'll be tough but make sure to sleep. Worrying doesn't change a thing.

 

[TN Larry]

Looks like a dead deer to me.

Go to Tennessee Blood Trailing Network on Facebook, and they have a Google maps list of trackers with contact info.

Good luck!

 

[philsanchez76]

appreciate all this support. one more question. Got a hold of a tracker (thanks @Wolverine72 ) but he can't meet till 3 pm tomorrow. Would yall go in early and try to find blood (maybe not much if a gut shot)? Id like to save this meat. Or wait till the dog comes at 3? I appreciate all your experiences. ive never actually had to do this before.

 

[A207X2]

appreciate all this support. one more question. Got a hold of a tracker (thanks @Wolverine72 ) but he can't meet till 3 pm tomorrow. Would yall go in early and try to find blood (maybe not much if a gut shot)? Id like to save this meat. Or wait till the dog comes at 3? I appreciate all your experiences. ive never actually had to do this before.

If it were me, I'd head out at first light picking up where you left off. Worst case scenario you don't find it by 3, then the dog will. In the event that it's still alive tomorrow morning, I'd want to do all I could to find it and dispatch it quickly. I wouldn't want it to suffer for 6 more hours waiting for the dog. I think you're going to find it pretty quickly though. As someone said, get a good night's sleep and start fresh in the morning.

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

Hope you find him. Shayne Simpson says don't trash the track if you plan on calling a dog in. I've never used a dog to track a deer so can't speak from experience. Good luck!! Can't wait to see him.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

I'd go first thing in the morning. Make sure he is dead before walking up close to him.