Gut shot

[Wellsdw]

I track a lot of gut shot deer with a dog. My recommendation is 6hrs min when someone calls me. If left undisturbed usually bed and die within 100-150 yards. I’ve jumped way too many after a couple hrs. that said I have found some that were dead or that I killed with a pistol for the hunter within a couple hours. Most folks that call me are calling for deer that are “personal best” and like it or not, recovery is top priority not meat and I’m not the meat police….. just a tracker

 

[NealS02]

I’ve taken a questionable shot on an animal I never recovered. It made me sick. Use it as an opportunity to improve both shooting as well as decision making, which frankly all hunters should be doing on a continuous basis. The two things that made me feel a bit better were 1. My decision to eat my tag on that deer as I had spilled blood 2. Giving 100% effort on recovery.