Started hunting 3 years ago and have killed 4 doe to date. I set a personal goal that I would only shoot a buck that is 6 points or larger and today an 8 pointer came by. Not a giant buck but I was shaking hard so I took the shot. Shot was far back, buck stood there for 10 mins and laid down. I snuck out. Will be back at sunrise. I feel terrible. Practice all the time but the shakes got me.
Gonna be a long night
Bowhunter19
21 - 40 of 67 Posts
Joined
·
231 Posts
There's a creek not to far away. Have a feeling if he's not in his bed then that's where he will be
Joined
·
10,373 Posts
I would have shot him twice... or three times...however many times it takes. I shot a doe 3 times a couple weeks ago. Hit her a little far back, waited over an hour and tracked her down, shot her again while she was laying down, great blood, waited 20 minutes, tracked her down again and finished her off. Tough deer.
Joined
·
231 Posts
Tried for another shot but couldn't get one. Trust me I would have tried
Joined
·
3,926 Posts
Good luck. Should be close to where you last saw him.
Some guys are stating the water thing. Seems that happens more on gut shot deer and it may be. Bedded down quickly so he said n that's often liver shot. They don't usually go to water. Not sure why but watching them as they lie down their head rocks back n forth when liver shot. They expire much quicker too. If it was in North Jersey you may have a bear wanna arm wrestle ya for it but you made the right choice
Joined
·
2,699 Posts
I've had multiple deer go towards water and not all were gut shot. Could happen with any shot.
Think it's liver since he bedded fast. my guess he was dead in his bed before you left but definitely made the right choice. Good luck bud
Interesting. I guess maybe I'm not close enough to water to see it much. Septicemia and the high fever is what draws them to water. Never seen a liver shot deer go far enough. Could just be dynamics of dif terrain. I mostly hunt mountains
Joined
·
2,525 Posts
sounds like guts or liver ... he's dead either way. look for turkey vultures or crows they will find him before you will. hope the coyotes or bears don't eat him up ... you will find him
Joined
·
231 Posts
Thnks for the offer! I'm gonna head out by myself in the morning if I don't find him I have two buddies coming to help. Thanks again though
Joined
·
5,456 Posts
He's done for. Go back at first light and find him. Remember exactly the area you lost saw him. He most likely bedded right there and that's where you will find him as long as he wasn't bumped. Good luck.
Joined
·
288 Posts
Whenever I get the shakes while drawling and aiming... I back down....take a deep breath and draw back again. Works every time!
Joined
·
231 Posts
Found him 10 yds from where I last saw him. Unfortunatley coyotes got to him first. Planned on donating meat but ass is chewed up. Not a big buck but my first and im proud of him. Will post a pic soon. Thanks again everybody
21 - 40 of 67 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
