What Was Your Shortest Recovery Distances (bow only)

[archer36]

Do not include spine shots. 

The two that come to mind are frontal shots.

First: My first year hunting with a crossbow, a deer presented me with a great frontal shot at about 20 yds. I hit it precisely where I aimed. The deer spun around (blood spraying everywhere) and it dropped on the spot.

Second: I grunted in a buck. The deer walked directly to my stand, never going sideways. I put the croassbow scope crosshair on it's chest and followed it in. At about 12 yds, the deer stopped, exposed it's chest and I shot. The deer lunged forward, bounced off the ladder stand, and died 5 yds from the base of the tree. 

What you got? 

Edited January 27 by archer36

[bowguide]

2 steps...made a bad shot hit the femoral artery in the hindquarter, was dead before it could turn....blood squirted like it was coming out of a hose

[archer36]

4 minutes ago, bowguide said:

2 steps...made a bad shot hit the femoral artery in the hindquarter, was dead before it could turn....blood squirted like it was coming out of a hose

I hit the femoral once. Blood like a hose but made it about 30 yds. 

[Bucksnbows]

Mine was also a frontal shot and the only one I have ever taken with a gun or bow. It was on one of Rusty’s cull hunts. Small 3 point feeding directly facing me with failing light. At 7-9 yards, I knew I could pick which part of the heart I wanted to hit. I was shooting my Hoyt with Muzzy fixed three blades and he took two quick bounds forward, nearly running into my ladder in a one man ladder stand and he died as he passed under my tree. Maybe a total of 10 yards, max.  

[Tarhunt]

Had a few drop in their tracks. 

[archer36]

4 minutes ago, Bucksnbows said:

Mine was also a frontal shot and the only one I have ever taken with a gun or bow. It was on one of Rusty’s cull hunts. Small 3 point feeding directly facing me with failing light. At 7-9 yards, I knew I could pick which part of the heart I wanted to hit. I was shooting my Hoyt with Muzzy fixed three blades and he took two quick bounds forward, nearly running into my ladder in a one man ladder stand and he died as he passed under my tree. Maybe a total of 10 yards, max.  

Frontal shots are devastating. I never would attempt one with my Compound Bow. Great shot!

[BHC]

Bear 15 yards 

Deer 20 yards

[bowguide]

I actually dont mind frontal shots if I can pick my spot.... Have only taken one but it only went about 10 yds

[mike033089]

12’. Snuck up on one at the house it jumped, walked a couple steps and stopped and fell over 

[electric10162]

This past season. Crossbow, quartering away, 25 yards with a 100 grain Rage

[fab]

22 yd liver shot.   Deer took 4 short hops after he was hit.   Stopped.  Looked around like wtf was that.  He went back to eatting acorns.  I said to myself.  Did I miss.  Shot looked perfect.   10 seconds later. He stopped eatting. Looked straight.  Started to tremble then just fell 

 

 

[not on the rug]

I've shot a few at very close ranges (10-12 yards) that didn't even know they were hit.  They looked around,  went back to nibbling grass and then wobbled and toppled over.  

My buddy shot one a few years back that ran about 50 yards, and died right on the edge of the little dirt road we were hunting off of...literally 15ft from his pickup.  Shortest drag ever!

[archer36]

8 minutes ago, fab said:

22 yd liver shot.   Deer took 4 short hops after he was hit.   Stopped.  Looked around like wtf was that.  He went back to eatting acorns.  I said to myself.  Did I miss.  Shot looked perfect.   10 seconds later. He stopped eatting. Looked straight.  Started to tremble then just fell 

 

 

I had a similar experience back in my compound bow days. I was using a Rocket 1 1/4" 3 blade mechanical. Shot a buck at about 15 yds. It just stood there and looked around. I said "WTF" I missed. It's tail started twitching and it walked in a semi-circle around my stand and did a nose dive. 

I love to hear these stories!

[archer36]

3 minutes ago, not on the rug said:

I've shot a few at very close ranges (10-12 yards) that didn't even know they were hit.  They looked around,  went back to nibbling grass and then wobbled and toppled over.  

My buddy shot one a few years back that ran about 50 yards, and died right on the edge of the little dirt road we were hunting off of...literally 15ft from his pickup.  Shortest drag ever!

You got to love that. I hunt a small piece behind my buddies house. One I shot this year ran straight down the trail and died behind his shed. 

[tjfslaughter]

Dropped a Mule Deer at 104 yards in it tracks.  The guide about crapped his pants.  This was in Nebraska with the Ravin.  Heart shot broadside.  He had about 12 does with him during the rut, we belly crawled from 300 yards to 100, he gunted and we were busted.  I set up my sticks and the guide said 104.   After the shot the guide said he was very confused when he heard me click off the safety.  He also said he never saw a deer drop in its tracks like that with any bow/crossbow or gun.  That said.  it was supposed to be a 5 day hunt but I got word a friend had passed away so I took a longer shot than normal on the first morning of the hunt, so I could get to Oklahoma for his funeral.  180 class deer.