Having taken one buck and a young doe thus far this bowseason, I was out for one more doe for the freezer. I have been shooting very well this year, and it was the first year for me to try carbon arrows and expandable broadheads. Both deer taken to this point died within easy sight of the stand, arrows and broadheads performing perfectly. With snow predicted moving in for the afternoon, I hit the stand again with high expectations, and indeed got to see a few deer moving by. Then comes a deer which, to me, is more rare than even an excellent buck - one of the true old-timer "survivor" does. I have probably only shot 2 that truly qualify for that title in 35yrs of deer hunting...both aged at 5 1/2 or 6 1/2 years, and running up to 170lb dressed weight. Anyway, after a double- and triple- take to insure there were no horns, I drew my bow. The slight moisture from the wet falling snow caused my arrow to "moan" softly as it drew back through the whisker biscuit, which alerted the deer, but I quickly got off a seemingly perfect broadside shot. Everything felt good, and though I visually could not verify the hit location I knew by the sound that it had hit. The deer bolted, I watched it run full out until it was out of sight. 30 minutes of daylight remaining, light snow falling, not 100% sure of hit location...what to do? I waited 30 minutes, climbed down, and with flashlight tried to find the arrow to help determine the hit location and whether to wait or begin following. No arrow to be found. Decided to follow the trail for a bit to observe bleeding characteristics. Blood visible on the light snow, but not heavy...followed a bit further and seemed to be lightening if anything...soon found both halves of my broken arrow, both soaked in good blood. Seemed I should wait, but I was concerned that the ongoing snow may cover what blood and trail was there, so I pushed on. Deer was found dead within 100yds of stand, with a well placed double-lung pass through (with fully expanded broadhead)....so why the nearly non-existent blood trail? This absolutely huge doe was carrying up to 1 3/4" of hard fat over the ribs(up to 4" on the "hips") - although the entrance and exit wounds were bleeding heavily, the blood was blocked from flowing externally and flowed in the intra-fat and muscle tissue instead. In short, when butchering, this doe appeared to have been belted by at least a 12 gauge slug or something, with huge areas of "bloodshot" meat near the front shoulders/ribs. Just one more "odd" experience to add to the collection....there are so many things to consider before following that trail!
New Experience...
- Thread starter SWMAGMAN
- Start date
globemaster3
New member
Nice! The only thing I'd have to say is follow your gut if you think you need to wait. I know the urge to push with dimming light; been there! But better to wait than pushing an animal who would have settled down for the long rest and add time onto your search.
Glad that wasn't the case here and all turned out for the best. I changed to expandables in 1999 and have not looked back since. The best of field points with the damage of fixed blade broadheads. What model were you shooting if you don't mind my asking.
Again, congrats on the good doe!
Glad that wasn't the case here and all turned out for the best. I changed to expandables in 1999 and have not looked back since. The best of field points with the damage of fixed blade broadheads. What model were you shooting if you don't mind my asking.
Again, congrats on the good doe!
globemaster3
New member
I don't have any experience with those. I'll have to look them up. I've been shooting the Spitfires and settled on the 85 gr ones. With Gold Tip arrows, my Matthews is pushing them out around 290.
First...Grim Reapers are what I put in my quiver. I've taken scores of deer with them. Been shooting them since they came out. They've fixed their ferrule problem. They used to bend a bit. But they do an excellent job. I really like the spitbloods (Spitfires) too. They cause some massive damage. Only problem with the Spitfires, on sharp quartering shots, they can flip if a blade catches before the tip and not even penetrate. Had this happen to me and watched it happen to a buddy (I was filming). The pro shop I used to go to stopped carrying them for that reason. But great strong broadhead. Snypers 2 blade I like too. Great God what an entry hole.
All sorts of things can cause a great shot not to bleed. If the shot is steep, with a high entry and a low exit, an organ can fall and block the hole. High entry and exit, the chest cavity will have to fill first. That's most often the cause. Then the chest cavity must fill up before they start bleeding good again. You could have deflated both lungs, but failed to cut a really major artery that would cause the deer to really spill it.
No blood trail is ever the same. I've seen perfect heart/double lungers barely bleed, and other shots that weren't so good, leave a trail a blind man could follow. I always follow the blood trail, even if I saw where the animal drop. That way, you can learn as much as you can everytime. Is he bleeding from bothsides, how high is the spray, where all did the blood go, how much blood is actually on the ground? These questions I like to find out with every shot. Last week, I blew the top of a bucks heart off with a ML. He barely bled at all. Insane blood the first 10 yds, next to nothin the last 50. Everyone is different. But I vary rarely wait the recommended time. If I know it's a good hit, I'll get down after 5 minutes. Most of the time, the deer is dead within 15 seconds.
I also shoot a Mathews. The old Switchback, Gold Tip green wrap, Grim Reapers.
All sorts of things can cause a great shot not to bleed. If the shot is steep, with a high entry and a low exit, an organ can fall and block the hole. High entry and exit, the chest cavity will have to fill first. That's most often the cause. Then the chest cavity must fill up before they start bleeding good again. You could have deflated both lungs, but failed to cut a really major artery that would cause the deer to really spill it.
No blood trail is ever the same. I've seen perfect heart/double lungers barely bleed, and other shots that weren't so good, leave a trail a blind man could follow. I always follow the blood trail, even if I saw where the animal drop. That way, you can learn as much as you can everytime. Is he bleeding from bothsides, how high is the spray, where all did the blood go, how much blood is actually on the ground? These questions I like to find out with every shot. Last week, I blew the top of a bucks heart off with a ML. He barely bled at all. Insane blood the first 10 yds, next to nothin the last 50. Everyone is different. But I vary rarely wait the recommended time. If I know it's a good hit, I'll get down after 5 minutes. Most of the time, the deer is dead within 15 seconds.
I also shoot a Mathews. The old Switchback, Gold Tip green wrap, Grim Reapers.