Gut shot

[Dbolick]

Made a stupid mistake last night. The property I hunt in TN I didn’t have high hopes for seeing deer much less shooting one. A big doe came in and gave me a perfect broadside shot at 20 yards or so. I drew back and she was walking, I called to stop her and began pulling back my release, she only stopped for a quick second and began walking as soon as I had began to shoot. Ended up with an arrow through the guts. I saw her run off. Here’s where I screwed up, I began tracking within five minutes. I knew better but was just hoping I hit an artery and she died quickly. I was also hoping I could get a follow up shot. Blood trail was very minimal and I ended up searching the whole property. I’m sure she is long gone onto close by neighboring properties. I’ll go back out today after work and put in what she deserves but I’m very doubtful I’ll find her. The property I shot her on is covered in 6 foot grass so searching it is difficult. I’m sick over it, there was several things I wish I did differently. Primarily, pulling back and waiting 12 hours. Stupid mistake that I won’t make again. I can’t stand the thought of a slow painful death, I am comforted in the fact that nothing in nature goes to waste and this was a learning experience. Wish me luck finding her. I just needed to vent

 

[Wildone]

Good luck locating her . Call in the dog trackers if you need to. You learned a good lesson today and owned up to it. Good for you for doing the right thing and following through.

 

[Zdub02]

Good luck. Been there done that - I feel your pain. Second calling a dog. They are worth it. I would ask neighbors permission to access their property to open up your search area

 

[omicron1792]

Lots of people will search with thermal drone for a couple of hundred bucks. Have to do today before body cools too much.

 

[Dbolick]

Lots of people will search with thermal drone for a couple of hundred bucks. Have to do today before body cools too much.

My buddy has a photography business and I asked him, his drone has thermal imaging but he said in TN it’s illegal to track deer this way and he doesn’t want to risk his business which is totally understandable

 

[Dbolick]

Good luck. Been there done that - I feel your pain. Second calling a dog. They are worth it. I would ask neighbors permission to access their property to open up your search area

I talked to a tracker earlier this morning. I’m planning on getting permission from surrounding properties when I get off work

 

[DKennedy951]

Hunt long enough and it happens. My son had a similar situation last year. We found the doe the next morning in the creek. Figured she went toward the water after his shot.

 

[omicron1792]

Yeah def follow all local laws.

 

[Mudpuddle]

Hate to hear it and hope you're able to find her. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't made those same mistakes before.

 

[Rich M]

Happens - they move a lot and rarely stand still - can duck an arrow at 20 yds easy.

Accept the loss, be prepared to shoot faster/better next time, and keep yer chin up.

 

[Snowb1rd]

Made a stupid mistake last night. The property I hunt in TN I didn’t have high hopes for seeing deer much less shooting one. A big doe came in and gave me a perfect broadside shot at 20 yards or so. I drew back and she was walking, I called to stop her and began pulling back my release, she only stopped for a quick second and began walking as soon as I had began to shoot. Ended up with an arrow through the guts. I saw her run off. Here’s where I screwed up, I began tracking within five minutes. I knew better but was just hoping I hit an artery and she died quickly. I was also hoping I could get a follow up shot. Blood trail was very minimal and I ended up searching the whole property. I’m sure she is long gone onto close by neighboring properties. I’ll go back out today after work and put in what she deserves but I’m very doubtful I’ll find her. The property I shot her on is covered in 6 foot grass so searching it is difficult. I’m sick over it, there was several things I wish I did differently. Primarily, pulling back and waiting 12 hours. Stupid mistake that I won’t make again. I can’t stand the thought of a slow painful death, I am comforted in the fact that nothing in nature goes to waste and this was a learning experience. Wish me luck finding her. I just needed to vent

Ah man, that's rough. Mistakes happen, that's how we learn, grow, and improve. Hearing your feelings/thoughts makes me proud that there's still a strong community of ethical hunters out there who genuinely feel for their prey despite the end goal of obviously harvesting. It's not just all about the harvest, but how we commune with nature and respect it.

 

[Dbolick]

Ah man, that's rough. Mistakes happen, that's how we learn, grow, and improve. Hearing your feelings/thoughts makes me proud that there's still a strong community of ethical hunters out there who genuinely feel for their prey despite the end goal of obviously harvesting. It's not just all about the harvest, but how we commune with nature and respect it.

Thank you for those kind words that means a lot truly

 

[Dbolick]

UPDATE: I found her!!! I looked all over the property on which she was shot with no luck. I asked the neighbor for permission to check their property which is where I thought she ended up and sure enough. Fifty yards across the fence line there she lay. Unfortunately coyotes beat me to her and the meat was not salvageable.

 

[Rich M]

UPDATE: I found her!!! I looked all over the property on which she was shot with no luck. I asked the neighbor for permission to check their property which is where I thought she ended up and sure enough. Fifty yards across the fence line there she lay. Unfortunately coyotes beat me to her and the meat was not salvageable.

That’s good closure. You’ll sleep better now.

 

[KenLee]

2 hours wait is usually plenty for a gut shot. I track for alot of newbies and play the averages. Finding a deer after the meat spoils doesn't make me all warm and tingly.

 

[MallardSX2]

^^^

Follow KenLee for more expert advice.

 

[KenLee]

^^^

Follow KenLee for more expert advice.

Rotten doe at 80% found rate is better than 60% found good meat when? Pass through with good broadhead on a deer is not much different than a 6.5 creed, 270 or 30-06

 

[MallardSX2]

I’m not denying that a deer meat might spoil if you leave it too long….but that is terribly STUPID advice you are giving.

 

[KenLee]

I’m not denying that a deer meat might spoil if you leave it too long….but that is terribly STUPID advice you are giving.

How many gut shot deer have you tracked?
Be careful who you call stupid.
Many gut stuck deer fall before they get out of sight.

 

[rookieforever33]

UPDATE: I found her!!! I looked all over the property on which she was shot with no luck. I asked the neighbor for permission to check their property which is where I thought she ended up and sure enough. Fifty yards across the fence line there she lay. Unfortunately coyotes beat me to her and the meat was not salvageable.

Closure is better than nothing. Make the most of it now and either ask your neighbor if you can coyote hunt over her or drag her somewhere you can. Save a tomorrow deer ny killing todays coyotes