Shot a good buck, no pass through, WITH PIC FINALLY

[JHbowhunter]

Here is my take and its based on temp and time of year.  Naturally if it were in the 40s and dropping, no brainer- let it go till morning if you want a safe recovery. 

But hunting in meat spoiling temps carries an extra burden.   

1) No pass through - most likely means no guts, no liver, but doesn't rule out a double lung... (that's potentially good). I assume you are shooting enough KE to pass through any "non-bone area", and you also  heard the crack of hitting bone. 

2) If you got shoulder - here are the possibilities:

  a) You got one or more lungs as well, and that deer died within 20 seconds to a minute if 2 lungs, and within 4 hours if a decent one-lung hit 

  b) You could have even got heart. I have had many heart shots without pass-through because the opposite, thickest part of opposite leg/shoulder bones stopped      it.  If that is the case, that deer died quick.

  c) You were just too far forward, and did not make a lethal hit.  At least not one lethal in the next 12 hours.  

Given all that - the RIGHT call IMHO is to give it 4 hours then go all out. If you jump it, back out unless u feel you can overtake it then stay on it hard, but if you jump it and it bolts let it go and come back in morning.    If that deer is dead already, there is NO WAY that meat will be good by morning, so what do you really have to lose?   Your only chance at a true recovery (edible meat), is to get it before the meat spoils. Recovering bone means very little - but would be noble to put your tag on it none the less. (the honorable thing to do is punch your buck tag even if spoiled). 

I am sure some may differ, but that is based on 34 years bowhunting experience.  Bring help and more flashlights if you can. You simply can't skimp on lighting tonight, stop at Walmart or Home Depot or Lowe's and get the best they have if you don't have good lighting. 

If you are within 30 minutes of Newton, I will come help you. 

 

Edited September 12, 2018 by JHbowhunter

[Hunter115522]

OP, what's your general location? Guys here will help

[MM22]

Found him! Didn’t go 50 yards. Looks like it hit the back shoulder on the way out, that’s why the it didn’t go through. 

[Nomad]

He does most of his bow hunting in Morris and Sussex County.  Did some detective work.

[rackemup]

Just now, MM22 said:

Found him! Didn’t go 50 yards. Looks like it hit the back shoulder on the way out, that’s why the it didn’t go through. 

Awesome!! Congratulations!!

 

[JHbowhunter]

Well I just typed something else but see deer was recovered - AWESOME, lets see the pics!

Edited September 12, 2018 by JHbowhunter

[3Blade]

Congrats!! Now we need pics!

[Livesintrees]

11 minutes ago, JHbowhunter said:

Here is my take and its based on temp and time of year.  Naturally if it were in the 40s and dropping, no brainer- let it go till morning if you want a safe recovery. 

But hunting in meat spoiling temps carries and extra burden.   

1) No pass through - most likely means no guts, no liver, but doesn't rule out a double lung... (that's potentially good). I assume you are shooting enough KE to pass through any "non-bone area", and you also  heard the crack of hitting bone. 

2) If you got shoulder - here are the possibilities:

  a) You got one or more lungs as well, and that deer died within 20 seconds to a minute if 2 lungs, and within 4 hours if a decent one-lung hit 

  b) You could have even got heart. I have had many heart shots without pass-through because the opposite, thickest part of opposite leg/shoulder bones stopped      it.  If that is the case, that deer died quick.

  c) You were just too far forward, and did not make a lethal hit.  At least not one lethal in the next 12 hours.  

Given all that - the RIGHT call IMHO is to give it 4 hours then go all out. If you jump it, back out unless u feel you can overtake it then stay on it hard, but if you jump it and it bolts let it go and come back in morning.    If that deer is dead already, there is NO WAY that meat will be good by morning, so what do you really have to lose?   Your only chance at a true recovery (edible meat), is to get it before the meat spoils. Recovering bone means very little - but would be noble to put your tag on it none the less. (the honorable thing to do is punch your buck tag even if spoiled). 

I am sure some may differ, but that is based on 34 years bowhunting experience.  Bring help and more flashlights if you can. You simply can't skimp on lighting tonight, stop at Walmart or Home Depot or Lowe's and get the best they have if you don't have good lighting. The 

 

Pictures or it didn’t happen 

[JHbowhunter]

1 minute ago, 3Blade said:

Congrats!! Now we need pics!

yeah I was about to sign off, this site SUCKS!!!     Too much damn drama. Now I'm invested

[Devil Horns]

Congrats! Waiting to see the pic. Definitely a bad feeling when you second guess the hit and don’t know what happened. Glad you got him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nomad]

OK, I just got done loading my truck, have lights, jet sled, water, rope, couple of lanterns. Going to stop and get 6 bags of ice.  I'm headed north, let me know when you get an exact location!!!  Get a tracking dog inroute also.

Edited September 12, 2018 by Nomad

[Hunter115522]

Good thing you didn't let him lay over night 

[JHbowhunter]

We could all play "guess the score" before we even see a pic...  I am going with 119 3/8"......

[Nomad]

100 inch 7 point.

[Trophy8]

Congrats!