It was a boring then a gut wrenching morning.
I had no action until about 8:30 when my dad texted me that Kody had missed a nice 8 point up the hollow.
He thought he missed anyway...
After going out to search for the arrow they found it was covered in fat and blood was everywhere. My dad thought he missed low, so it kind of added up that Kody hit just below the vitals in the fatty area.
Kody of course wanted to start tracking immediately. I texted him I'd be sitting til noon then we would look around. So he sat in the tent until noon waiting on me (he slipped a nap in).
When I arrive I get the whole scoop. He was at 30 yards and it was a low shot. This is the first blood we found. Lots of white hair and big chunk of fat.
The trail was easy to follow. Blood everywhere... Then 2 beds right next to each other.
I don't think we bumped him, but we could've. The beds were in a lake bottom and we were walking down the ridge. I think we would've heard or seen him.
As we continued from the beds the blood became very sporadic and then none. We marked the last spot and backed out.
I really don't know if we will find him or if it's a fatal hit. He lost a lot of blood, but I think he clotted when he bedded.
My plan is to hunt the creek bottom he ran down in the morning. My stand is there anyway. Then walk the creek back up the the lake where the last blood was.
I'm sick. I feel bad for Kody and I hope the deer survives if we can't find him. I just didn't want to push him anymore today.
I'm usually pretty optimistic. Not right now.