Wait or track soon?

[MikeStaten 838]

Shot a buck a little after 6am this morning.  Shot felt ok but I waited about 20 minutes to get out of the stand to check arrow.  I found the arrow but now I’m worried about the hit.  The deer went through some brush right after the shot so I couldn’t really watch it run away but it sounded like it ran for about 40 yds and then I didn’t hear anything but I didn’t hear the typical crash either.  Could have dropped or he could have just kept walking and I didn’t hear him.    I checked the trail for the first 20 yds or so.  Blood trail is not great.  Some little patches hear and there but some of it is clumpy.   At first the arrow looked like a good hit with good red blood but on closer inspection it looks like some specks of food in it.   Doesn’t stink like a gut shot and no green or brown gut or vegetation on the arrow.   I’d wait until later this afternoon but rain is expected later this morning / early afternoon and gets worse later in the afternoon.   Current plan is to go out at 11:30 and take a look.  

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mike

 

 

[Zone50BugNerd 803]

Temps are plenty cool enough to wait it out.  Go grab a coffee and breakfast, wait it out when in doubt.

[Russ 11 2,994]

Mike , wait as long as you can before rain . Does look like some gut on arrow . What kind of shot , quartering , broadside ? 

[FishNHard 531]

If it was me if you have a buddy that can help id call give it a little time and a bring bow with you while tracking. arrow definity looks like a good hit thu.

 

[MikeStaten 838]

Broadside.   

[Gobblengrunt 4,247]

Possible liver?  Give it time.  If its dead now it will still be there later!  I would go in at 1130 like you said, beat the rain.  Looks like a dead deer to me

[not on the rug 3,978]

Where were you aiming?  Did you see the impact?  Did the deer jump, turn, react before the shot?

Did it sprint off full speed or trot off?  Was it hunching?

Don't listen to me bc I'm colorblind, but to me that looks like a liver hit that possibly clipped the stomach.  That grainy stuff could certainly be stomach contents.

I'd give it as much time as possible.  Keep an eye on the weather 

[mightyhunter 1,144]

You have the right idea, wait until 11:30 should be a dead deer

[MikeStaten 838]

1 minute ago, Gobblengrunt said:

Possible liver?  Give it time.  If its dead now it will still be there later!  I would go in at 1130 like you said, beat the rain.  Looks like a dead deer to me

Thanks.   My stomach is literally in knots with the waiting.   Not sure how I botched this one up.  

[Integracingsr 378]

I’d stick with your plan. Wait it out as long as possible before the rain and then head in.

[MikeStaten 838]

Just now, not on the rug said:

Where were you aiming?  Did you see the impact?  Did the deer jump, turn, react before the shot?

Did it sprint off full speed or trot off?  Was it hunching?

Don't listen to me bc I'm colorblind, but to me that looks like a liver hit that possibly clipped the stomach.  That grainy stuff could certainly be stomach contents.

I'd give it as much time as possible.  Keep an eye on the weather 

I was aiming right behind the shoulder for the double lung/high heart.  I could not see impact.   The deer ran off like it wasn’t hit but I didn’t really get to watch it as it got behind brush and trees so couldn’t see it much.  Sounded like it ran for about 40 yards and then got quieter but the woods open up so could’ve just been quieter due to that.   I did not hear any branches breaking or the deer crashing through anything after it got to about 40 yds.  

[Bucndoe 2,701]

That looks like a liver shot. He is bleeding bad on the inside. Wait a bit and he will be done when you find him

[not on the rug 3,978]

3 minutes ago, MikeStaten said:

I was aiming right behind the shoulder for the double lung/high heart.  I could not see impact.   The deer ran off like it wasn’t hit but I didn’t really get to watch it as it got behind brush and trees so couldn’t see it much.  Sounded like it ran for about 40 yards and then got quieter but the woods open up so could’ve just been quieter due to that.   I did not hear any branches breaking or the deer crashing through anything after it got to about 40 yds.  

Ok.  It does seem like a liver hit and maybe you clipped the stomach.  You have the right idea.  Just wait it out but give yourself an enough time to track before the rain starts.

Not sure where you're located,  but maybe some folks here could help track if you want

Edited November 1, 2020 by not on the rug

[Northjerseyoutdoorsman 710]

Looks like some gut And liver blood. There to me. And that reaction also sounds like it wasn't a great hit. Dead deer but give it time to die and don't bump it or you may never find it . 

[CatchinDeers243 607]

Sounds like a perfect plan. Good luck