I blew it - long -Found Him !

[74MOPAR]

Well I don't really know what happened. Bad as I hate to tell it here goes . Besides breaking my rule about archery hunting sunday evening when I work on Monday.
The buck I was hoping for showed up with plenty of light left. He moved through and never got a shot, few minutes later he came back out moving right to left and had an opening for 30 yard shot. I had a good rest for the crossbow and everything felt good. After the shot he wheeled around and took off like a bullet. Got down after a few minutes and checked the bolt and thought it was good news. Blood and lost 2 fletching . It had passed through and bounced back up and hit a tree. Went back to the house and gave him probably 45 minutes. We started right where he was standing to look for blood . 2,5 hours grid searching and not a single drop found . I am wore out and at a complete loss. I don't know how the bolt went through and never saw any blood anywhere. Maybe low and non lethal?

 

[Ski]

I know that feeling. Sorry to hear it. Hopefully he's right there and you just couldn't see him in the dark. Deer are tough. Big bucks are extraordinarily tough.

 

[TN Larry]

Don't sell yourself short. If you know you made a good shot, then it still should be a dead deer. I would be back in the morning and call a dog if needed.

 

[philsanchez76]

That's so rough. I definitely have been there too so you're not alone. Did he drop during the shot you think? I've hit a few deer high that have been non lethal shots. When it goes though the muscle there's basically no bleeding at all. Are you able to get someone to help look tomorrow?

 

[74MOPAR]

That's so rough. I definitely have been there too so you're not alone. Did he drop during the shot you think? I've hit a few deer high that have been non lethal shots. When it goes though the muscle there's basically no bleeding at all. Are you able to get someone to help look tomorrow?

He was pretty calm and didn't really drop, I'm going to look again tomorrow. But not finding anything the way we searched with good lights I don't really have great expectations.

 

[timberjack86]

Probably a dead deer. Don't give up till you can confirm it's a non lethal hit. Even if you hit the back ham theres a blood trail somewhere there. Good luck!

 

[timberjack86]

This was a high shot and first blood wasn't found till about 200 yards from the initial hit area. We had to finish the deer in it's bed. Stay after him!

 

[fairchaser]

Hang in there. Things always look much different in the light of a new day. You did nothing wrong. It's just woods whammies and sun spots. Bucks are tough animals and they can cover a lot of ground very fast. It's the lowest feeling you can have coupled with the highest high. It really sucks.

 

[kaizen leader]

Well I don't really know what happened. Bad as I hate to tell it here goes . Besides breaking my rule about archery hunting sunday evening when I work on Monday.
The buck I was hoping for showed up with plenty of light left. He moved through and never got a shot, few minutes later he came back out moving right to left and had an opening for 30 yard shot. I had a good rest for the crossbow and everything felt good. After the shot he wheeled around and took off like a bullet. Got down after a few minutes and checked the bolt and thought it was good news. Blood and lost 2 fletching . It had passed through and bounced back up and hit a tree. Went back to the house and gave him probably 45 minutes. We started right where he was standing to look for blood . 2,5 hours grid searching and not a single drop found . I am wore out and at a complete loss. I don't know how the bolt went through and never saw any blood anywhere. Maybe low and non lethal? View attachment 198340View attachment 198341

That is tough. Good luck.

 

[rem270]

Hate that man. Hopefully you can go back today and find him.

 

[74MOPAR]

Pics in a little while. Will the meat be ok?
Only got down to 50 last night here

 

[DMD]

Pics in a little while. Will the meat be ok?
Only got down to 50 last night here

GREAT! CONGRATULATIONS! I think the meat would be okay. I've left them overnight in warmer than that and meat was fine.

 

[timberjack86]

Way to lay with it!! Congratulations!!

 

[cbhunter]

Congrats, can't wait to see pics!

 

[Livin2hunt]

Congrats! Glad you found him.

 

[philsanchez76]

Pics in a little while. Will the meat be ok?
Only got down to 50 last night here

amazing news! id say about the only thing I wouldn't eat are the tenderloins since they're in the body cavity.

 

[Hduke86]

Heck yea and I believe the meat will be fine.

 

[Heath423]

Glad you found him. Awaiting picks. I feel the meat will be fine.

 

[DeerCamp]

Pics in a little while. Will the meat be ok?
Only got down to 50 last night here

Meat should be fine. Just remember to post a pic here right after you put him on ice

 

[Gravey]

Glad you found him.