Shot my first buck but...

[ShieldsOutdoors]

I made my first post last year after killing my first deer, a doe with a muzzleloader. This is my second year hunting, and I did a lot of research and practice in the off season. I went out this morning and had a big bodied forky come in at about 20 yds. I stopped him and took the shot. I felt good about at the moment. Long story short, there was a lot of blood on my arrow but also some gut matter. I gave it about 2 hours because of that. A lot of blood at first but then got very light. I ended up seeing him laying down but alive right on the other side of the neighbors property. I tried to back out quietly but he heard me and stood up slowly with his rear facing me. He didn't go anywhere And just stood there. I watched him for about 10 minutes before backing on out. Now I'm at home, sick about it and unable to relax. I plan to go back out about an hour before dark. I think I'm just posting to get it off my chest but also open to any thoughts you all may have.

 

[150plusB&C]

You did the right thing. When in doubt, back out. It's good he didn't jump and run. Sounds like he's filling up inside and won't last long. Go in with the same stealth you would as if he's alive. Good luck and congrats. Post pics


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[Lincoln Co Archer]

If you watched him after he stood up and he didn't go anywhere, I like your odds. He is hurt bad. I would go back out about 5 to give yourself plenty of light. Don't beat yourself up about it, it happens to everyone at some point or another if you hunt long enough. Have to take the good with the bad sometimes.

 

[bigtex]

That deer is hurt bad and should be dead soon. Give it several hours and sneak back in. Sounds like a quartering shot that got a lung or liver.
To make it legal be sure to get permission to retrieve your deer from your neighbor.
Good luck!!

 

[Dennis]

Your description is typical of a stomach shot deer. He won't go far unless pushed. But don't go after him too soon, wait at least 8 hrs from time of shot, 10 is better.

 

[Dennis]

When you do go back, you are likely to find a couple of spots with pools of blood where he bedded in close vicinity to each other. He won't be far from those spots.

 

[recurve60#]

Your description is typical of a stomach shot deer. He won't go far unless pushed. But don't go after him too soon, wait at least 8 hrs from time of shot, 10 is better.

This

 

[catman529]

He'll be dead if he isn't already. Good luck


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[ShieldsOutdoors]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and advice. I'll try to get in touch with the neighbor beforehand and give it as much time as I can but still give myself enough time before dark.

 

[JeepKuntry]

Normally when they stand and bed it's already setting in. My guess is he'll be stiff because he died an hour or two after backing out.

 

[ShieldsOutdoors]

You all are helping me feel more hopeful. At what point after dying would I need to worry about the meat going bad? I'm in East Tennessee and it's supposed to be a high of 74 degrees.

 

[double browtine]

I think if it's been 3 hours since you last left him, then he is probably expired. Better go stalk in to the location. Get to a location where you can glass with your binoculars to see if he is still there. More than likely he is lying there dead. If you wait till 5, meat might spoil in these temps. Good luck!

 

[2in1shot]

Go get your deer. Don't wait til an hour before dark.

 

[megalomaniac]

Big muscle groups will be fine 8 hours after death if not contaminated with intestinal contents. If hes severely bloated, id just pull the backstraps, hams, and shoulders and leave the tenderloins.

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[44 mag]

Can't wait to see the pictures

 

[Racknquack]

If he got up and didn't run he's hurt bad. Give him couple hours and go get him. As others have said ease in and glass. That's sound advise. Post the pictures!

 

[Bone Collector]

I'd go in quiet like others have said and use binos to glass the area. Odds are he's dead. If so get him outta there.


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[fairchaser]

Often they will walk off once you leave since they could have plugged up and will leave no trail. If you don't get him this evening, do a grid search tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[44 mag]

Well what happened. Did you find him?

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

Well what happened. Did you find him?

Waiting

 

[ShieldsOutdoors]

Sorry for the delay. I went and got the landowners permission first thing. Went back to the area I saw him. He wasn't there, and I could not find a drop of flood anywhere, not even where he was bedded. I walked every direction slowly and carefully trying to find a hint of blood but nothing. I followed trails and covered a lot of other ground too. I searched until dark and came home. I'm really disappointed and at this point just hoping maybe he lives. It just seems so odd to me I didn't pick up anything, I know it was too far back but there was really good blood on the arrow and at the beginning. It definitely makes me sick.

 

[MUP]

If at all possible I'd find someone with a good dog to track it. I believe it's dead close by.

 

[44 mag]

Are there any blow downs or really thick cover close by. They like to get in the thickest of stuff to die.

Just a thought.

 

[catman529]

Big muscle groups will be fine 8 hours after death if not contaminated with intestinal contents. If hes severely bloated, id just pull the backstraps, hams, and shoulders and leave the tenderloins.

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I'd leave the tenderloins regardless if it's a gut shot. Deer pesto isn't my favorite marinade

Good luck!


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[catman529]

Sorry for the delay. I went and got the landowners permission first thing. Went back to the area I saw him. He wasn't there, and I could not find a drop of flood anywhere, not even where he was bedded. I walked every direction slowly and carefully trying to find a hint of blood but nothing. I followed trails and covered a lot of other ground too. I searched until dark and came home. I'm really disappointed and at this point just hoping maybe he lives. It just seems so odd to me I didn't pick up anything, I know it was too far back but there was really good blood on the arrow and at the beginning. It definitely makes me sick.

he won't survive a gut shot. But it'll be hard to find him without buzzards. Good luck


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[megalomaniac]

Big muscle groups will be fine 8 hours after death if not contaminated with intestinal contents. If hes severely bloated, id just pull the backstraps, hams, and shoulders and leave the tenderloins.

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I'd leave the tenderloins regardless if it's a gut shot. Deer pesto isn't my favorite marinade

Good luck!


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Learn to pull the tenderloins out retroperitoneally thru the back behind the last rib instead of from the body cavity. Even if a deer is gut shot with a rifle, there won't be any contamination of the tenderloin whatsoever, since the muscle itself is protected from the abdominal cavity by the peritoneum.



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[smoke'em]

Good LUck, We've all been there..

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

Good LUck, We've all been there..

X2.. maybe try and get a dog to track it..

 

[UTGrad]

It happens. I've learned a lot from going though the disappointment of losing a deer I hit knowing it died and I wasn't able to recover it. Keep your chin up and know the feeling in your gut will pass.


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[DRSJ35]

It does make you sick from experience I can tell you. But if you don't give it all got to find him. You'll never let it down. He'll die and is already dead most likely. The responsible thing to do is look and look and look some more. Find a tracking dog whatever you gotta do. Good luck