Good Blood on This Hit?

[IndiaZero3]

Looking for some analysis and opinions on this shot. I feel like I did everything right, but I didn't recover this bull.

Shot him just after sunrise yesterday, perfectly broadside at 30 yards, no obstructions. Shot was a little lower than ideal, but I felt like it was good. Single bevel 2 blade, complete pass through. He ran about 15 yards and stood still for about 30 minutes, I was waiting for him to die right there. Brush was too thick to get a second arrow in him without moving and risking bumping him (see pic), and I thought he had laid down as I could only see antlers.

After 30 minutes, he turned his head and gave me a chance to stand up and put a tree between us. I was able to get into position to put another arrow in him, got to full draw, but he busted out before I could get the shot I wanted.

I waited another 15 minutes, then started to analyze the scene. Picked up the arrow, then went to where he stood to check the blood (see pic).

I was able to follow the blood trail for about 500 ft. then it just vanished. Backed out and went back a few hours later with 3 buddies and searched until we ran out of light.

I expected better blood, given the shot placement, the pass through and the amount of time he spent standing in that spot.

Does this blood look good? Given the the same shot placement, would there have been better blood with a 3 blade coc, or a 2 blade with bleeders?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Sled]

almost looked like lung blood but i think the leaves make it look that way. it is oxygenated blood, so not venous. not a lot of blood for the amount of time he sat there. may have had internals occlude the wound?

 

[TheCougar]

It is a very bright red, usually a good sign. But it looks like you may have just hit brisket. A low lung or heart hit should have killed him and resulted in a frothy mix and more spray. The only thing left is a brisket shot that just drips blood. Usually starts out with decent blood, then slowly dissipates over time. Can’t say for sure, but that’s my best guess.

 

[IndiaZero3]

It is a very bright red, usually a good sign. But it looks like you may have just hit brisket. A low lung or heart hit should have killed him and resulted in a frothy mix and more spray. The only thing left is a brisket shot that just drips blood. Usually starts out with decent blood, then slowly dissipates over time. Can’t say for sure, but that’s my best guess.

Brisket shot was also my best guess.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Ross]

Tough to say other than elk are so tough, things happen and different broadhead likely would have made no difference on outcome if he stood 30 minutes then walked off don’t believe vital hit part of hunting you do the best you can

 

[Sapcut]

Single bevel two blades can do more damage than three blades on any given shot. It amazes me what the single bevel can do. The broadhead choice may have made no difference other than a three blade may not have gone thru and the bull run for days. Then have a totally different scenario on your hands. Maybe better maybe not.

 

[IndiaZero3]

Single bevel two blades can do more damage than three blades on any given shot. It amazes me what the single bevel can do. The broadhead choice may have made no difference other than a three blade may not have gone thru and the bull run for days. Then have a totally different scenario on your hands. Maybe better maybe not.

Good point on the 3 blade. The Kudu went thru like a hot knife thru butter.

 

[87TT]

What did the arrow look like?

 

[IndiaZero3]

What did the arrow look like?

Pic

 

[87TT]

Doesn't look like frothy lung blood just looking at the picture it's hard to tell.

 

[Bubblehide]

That is way too much blood on that arrow for a brisket shot IMNSHO.

 

[ridgefire]

Looks like a flesh wound to me. Same thing has happened to me on a bull and blood just stopped.

 

[Firehole Hunter]

I'd say brisket with the little amount of blood shown, a complete pass through shot and behavior of the elk. But you never know for sure until you inspect them up close and personal.

 

[cmbbulldog]

I’d agree with the brisket comments. If you felt you hit low, probably did just below vitals. I have tracked a brisket hit before on a buddies elk, and similar situation as yours. Keep looking though, grid search it!

 

[hobbes]

If I had to guess, and you were low as you believe that you saw, you were a touch back and at bottom back edge of lungs/diaphragm. Seems like too much blood to have not pierced cavity. Brisket is more fat than blood.

I've tracked plenty of deer that the shooter argued was a great shot to find out their eyes deceived them. There's a lot to take in at the release of an arrow.

Also, that bull didn't stand there 30 minutes because of a flesh wound. He wasn't feeling good. Probably not what you want to hear. Doesn't necessarily mean that it's a lethal shot. Was his head up the whole time? Probably a better sign for him if it was.

 

[IndiaZero3]

If I had to guess, and you were low as you believe that you saw, you were a touch back and at bottom back edge of lungs/diaphragm. Seems like too much blood to have not pierced cavity. Brisket is more fat than blood.

I've tracked plenty of deer that the shooter argued was a great shot to find out their eyes deceived them. There's a lot to take in at the release of an arrow.

Also, that bull didn't stand there 30 minutes because of a flesh wound. He wasn't feeling good. Probably not what you want to hear. Doesn't necessarily mean that it's a lethal shot. Was his head up the whole time? Probably a better sign for him if it was.

Yes, head up the entire time, no wobble or stumbling and he seemed fine when he busted out.

Another search and no luck. At this point, I'm hoping the shot wasn't lethal.

 

[5MilesBack]

I shot one through the liver and most likely one lung with a 2-blade a few years ago, complete passthrough. Lost blood in the dark and came back the next day and found the trail. Last blood we found was where he bedded in a big pool of it. Never found another drop, but he died in a small bushy gulley .17 miles from that last blood. Make sure you grid search as best you can, they seem to search for the best thick locations to die in when they aren't feeling very good.

 

[Ndstevens]

I shot one through the liver and most likely one lung with a 2-blade a few years ago, complete passthrough. Lost blood in the dark and came back the next day and found the trail. Last blood we found was where he bedded in a big pool of it. Never found another drop, but he died in a small bushy gulley .17 miles from that last blood. Make sure you grid search as best you can, they seem to search for the best thick locations to die in when they aren't feeling very good.

I completely agree with this. In my experience with animals that dont die in eye sight and i lose the track, ill start looking for the nastiest bushy holes in that area. It seems like they cant make it to where they would prefer to hide so they pick option B and dive into a shit hole to try and hide. Sorry for your current experience. Heart breaker for sure! Hope your season gets better.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[jsb]

If you have a dog bring it with you to search.

 

[mike.adams.467]

I completely agree with this. In my experience with animals that dont die in eye sight and i lose the track, ill start looking for the nastiest bushy holes in that area. It seems like they cant make it to where they would prefer to hide so they pick option B and dive into a shit hole to try and hide. Sorry for your current experience. Heart breaker for sure! Hope your season gets better.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I hit one low in the chest and assumed it would catch the heart. I looked for 4 days and found him.92 mile from the shot. It must have missed heart and lungs. It happens; still gut-wrenching.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk