Late season help
- Thread starter Joel
- Start date
I don't know how anything can bleed that much and not be dead. There was a steady drip for the entire trail with an occasional big puddle here and there. Tough animals. Really hoping and praying I can find this deer tomorrow morning.
On the bright side, I met 5 of my neighbors down the road going door to door asking permission lol.
This is where I started and ended up more or less. 2 miles is the closest guess I have, there was no walking in straight lines like the map shows more like big half circles and zig zags.
On the bright side, I met 5 of my neighbors down the road going door to door asking permission lol.
This is where I started and ended up more or less. 2 miles is the closest guess I have, there was no walking in straight lines like the map shows more like big half circles and zig zags.
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He might be laying right by that pond at the end of your trail. They like water when they are wounded. Any idea on your shot placement? What did the blood look like?
Blood was just red. A few drops, then some it looked like it was spraying then a few more drops then a puddle... Not real dark just red (and frozen it was -15 when I came back in). Probably saw 5 good puddles along the way. Towards where we stopped the blood was getting less and less all of a sudden, which is freaking me out. it may get thick again once I pick up where we left off. It was completely dark and the third and final flashlight was getting dim.
I actually had the last farmer I talked to out there with me. I asked for permission and he came out with coveralls and a flashlight to help me for the last couple hours. He said there was a ravine that had running water even when it was cold and his guess was the buck was heading there since everything was frozen.
I think the pond you mentioned was at the beginning of the trail though. The end of the trail (south on the map) is where we quit tracking him. Blood was even on the road pretty thick. He's gotta be dead it's just a matter of finding him.
I'm off until I find this deer or loose the trail, lol. I am way to busy to be pulling that but this is more important. Clients can wait!
rsmith
Member
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Joel hopefully you can find him! Sounds like you made some good contact with him! That farmer made a good point that he would be by the running water but I would just get a good night sleep and start at it again tomorrow! Best if luck trying to find him! We're all rooting for you! :smiley_cheer:
That's what I was thinking. I don't have lighted nocks but I swear I saw a flash of red just a little left and low of where I was aiming. Kind of slow motion due to adrenaline or something I guess. Don't know if I was seeing my nock or blood...
Also I know now I should've waited. I got up after he was out of site and walked back into my house to warm up. I gave him maybe 30 minutes but probably less and at the time I was thinking I better go now in case the snow starts falling or wind blows snow over top of the trail.
No idea where I hit him exactly. He was 25-30 yards away, I stopped him with a "meh" and he was perfectly broad side. Shot placement would be a guess but I was aiming for his lungs and obviously missed them.
Didn't look too hard for the arrow, it was about a foot of snow where he was when I shot him. I do think he's dead, I'd bet my next paycheck on that I just have to find him.
Also I have to add I really appreciate all of you that have been encouraging me through this season. I never really had any hunting buddies but I guess I do now!
Good luck in the morning Joel. He went a long way and in these frigid temps to boot! Hopefully he'll lay down and stay down for good so you can find him! Way to stick with it this season!
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Don't beat yourself up about that. You didn't jump him out of a bed when you went after him did you? To cover that much ground, he's lived a long time. You getting after him fairly soon likely had nothing to do with him going for such a long walk. Best of luck finding him. They are tough animals!
No I never jumped him out of bed. It looks like he stopped a few times where I saw the big puddles of blood but never laid down. I'm going to get some sleep now and go look for him in the morning.
