I took a shot on my first buck today from about 20' up in my climber. It was about a 20 yard shot broadside. I believe I hit the shoulder instead of right behind it because as it ran away my arrow was still stuck in it. My first deer I took was a pass through from about the same distance with a slower shooting bow. The buck ran off. No blood trail. I saw the arrow in it and heard the impact so I know there was definite contact. I'm shooting a 2013 bear legion 29.5" draw at 72lbs. I'm using decent arrows and switch blade mechanical broad heads. I called a buddy to help me out but by time I waited and got out of my stand it was dark. We searched for about an hour. No blood. What to do now? Just search the woods in the direction I saw him run and hope I find him? I feel really bad that my shot placement was possibly off a bit and he didn't expire quickly. Any advice will help, I know i screwed up so telling me that won't help
First buck and I think I made a mistake
SJHunter350
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Goodluck
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Just remember your arrow hits higher with the angle so without a pass through your not gunna get much blood and sometimes none. The body cavity has to fill with blood before it begins to pour out the entry wound. That deer is probably dead lying in the thick stuff.
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I would bet 10-1 that the deer is still alive. I don't know the "switchblade broadhead" but any mechanical head robs some energy when opening. If it is a very wide cut , that robs more energy. This equates to poor penetration. Then add in a steep downward angle so you are trying to cut through on an angle. you still should of found some blood before the rain , but it wouldn't of started until about fifty yards from where you hit him. I only shoot at 64 pounds, but I don't use mechanicals, I use C.O.C fixed blades. I doubt that would of made any difference tough if you hit the shoulder bone on a steep downward angle. Good Luck with your search.
I'm sorry but I have to laugh at this post. You think 72# is excessive yet mention you lost a deer on the same shot with a 60# bow. What if you were shooting 72# and had the energy to get through that shoulder and would have recovered your deer? I know 72# isn't necessary to kill a deer but if you are comfortable shooting at that weight then why not? I shoot most of my bows in the upper 60's to lower 70's but do have one bow with 60# limbs. I also have a bow with 80# limbs that I shoot right around 77#. I shot a doe last week with that bow that turned toward me after I drew. After holding a while and her not moving I took the quartering to shot blowing through the shoulder taking the aorta off the top of the heart and exiting the armpit of the off side and still having the 480gr arrow go 8" into the ground. She went less than 30 yards and went down. I never would have let that arrow go if I had been hunting with my 60# bow.
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That's normal, but don't beat yourself up over it. It's part of hunting. It happens to all hunters at some point. I hope you find him!
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Outcome?
SS!
SS!
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Chances are if you hit that shoulder bone and the arrow didn't penetrate past it, your not going to find him dead. Keep hunting the same area and see if he returns in the future with a bit of a limp. A tip to make sure you don't make that error shot twice is to picture in your mind the exit wound not your entry wound before you hit your release. We have all probably been in your shoes before and made this same shot. It sucks but don't get too down on yourself over it. We all learn from our mistakes. None of us are perfect bro.
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Hopefully he went out for beers to celebrate. Wondering myself.
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Searched for hours. Hands and knees are a bit sore. I'm soaked. I walked the length of this creek that runs through the woods. Deer activity was at a all time low. I always see deer without fail on my way in. I didn't see a single one. No blood no arrow no signs of anything. I left my trail cam out there. Maybe he'll show back up again. I've had him on the cam nearly everyday it's been out.
Thank you all for your advice and offers to help. It's greatly appreciated and it's why this is called a brotherhood. Best of luck to all of you. Stay safe.
I'll be adjusting my strategy and set up accordingly to try and prevent this from happening again.
Thank you all for your advice and offers to help. It's greatly appreciated and it's why this is called a brotherhood. Best of luck to all of you. Stay safe.
I'll be adjusting my strategy and set up accordingly to try and prevent this from happening again.
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Its happens and it sounds like you gave it your best to find animal . I think it will survive sounds like you hit bone . No penetration you probably did not hit any vitals . I am a little surprised you did not find arrow it should have fell out or broke off . Very hard to track with all the rain last night and this morning . It is a bad feeling when you wound one . worst part of bow hunting . You will feel better with time . Better Luck next time .
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Its too bad you didn't find him, but with a shot in the shoulder, that deer is still alive for sure. I shot one in the shoulder about 3 years ago with a rage. I looked for days and never found that deer. No trail cam pics, nothing for 2 months. One afternoon Im hunting the same tree, I hear a noise behind me and I turn to see the deer I shot come walking in like nothing even happened. I was going to shoot him again when I caught more movement, It was a nice 11 pt. I turned around and shot him. Both deer were shot with a Rage. When I recovered the 11 pt, I saw a scabbed over wound on his shoulder. I found another Rage lodged in his shoulder. The deer was walking fine and you would never have known he was shot before. Ive since stopped shooting mechanicals. I switched over to slick tricks and never looked back. Hopefully you have learned a lesson
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Them deer are tough, it will show up again. Had a deer come on for a half mount, had 2 broad heads in the same arm and shoulder, a ton of buckshot, finally taken with a slug.
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That's insane!
Yeah I have a camera out there so I'm hoping to catch him on it one day. I set it to video so I'll be able to know he's the one with the limp [up] haha
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After probably more than 20 years of shooting Muzzy's, I switched over to Slicks this year. Solid little broad heads they are, that fly incredibly well and deliver much more devastation than what would be expected from their size.
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You screwed up [hihi] (sorry, couldn't resist). Had it happen a few years ago on a doe. Watched the arrow hit the shoulder and watched her bound off. I wen to the spot of the shot, but no blood. Backed out and went back the next day -- still nothing. At dusk when the deer were feeding back into the field, I caught a doe limping into the field; a little hurt, but no worse for wear. Would have preferred her to be lying in the woods, but at least my question was answered. I hope you find the buck (dead or alive). Good luck.
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