I shot my 5th deer of the year, a nice doe last night. The arrow fell out about 3 feet from where it was standing. I thought maybe it was broken off but didn't get much penetration. I knew I hit it a tad bit forward. The deer looked like it was hit hard as it ran off crashing thru stuff.
I got down at dark picked up the arrow. The broadhead was gone along with the insert. It was not broken off at all. So now I'm really scratching my head and feeling uneasy.
I picked up a very so so blood trail and after about 50 yards the blood suddenly began to flow. We followed it about another 75 yards and there she was.
Upon inspection my hit was just at the top crease of the front side shoulder and hit the ribs near the opposite leg.
The funny part is I never did find my broadhead.
Could the broadhead have hit the off shoulder solid enough that glue broke and the arrow bounced out?? I did let the processor know about the possibility of the broadhead being in there. Maybe I just missed it when I was field dressing?? Didn't get pics last night (no camera) and was in a rush to processor before work today. :(
never heard of that before... :confused:
That is a great mystery. You measured your recovered arrow and know it's the right length?
I've seen carbons break off so clean, the looked like they were cut on a cut-off saw!
Several deer I shot have poked through behind the off-side shoulder and as the deer drew back it'soff side leg, it snapped the shaft coming through. Quick li'l buggars them whitetails.
I've had glue in inserts pull out in targets so I guess the head could have lodged in bone somewhere and the brush and limbs pulled the shaft loose as the deer ran and the fletching draggged on underbrush.
Let us know if you find the culprit and reason.
I once had an arrow out of a 70# compound bow shot at a deer 12 yards away come flying back at me fletch first right after hitting an 8 pt buck. I checked the arrow and it too was missing its broadhead (a mechanical head) it was broken off at the threads. The arrow itself had about 4 inches of blood on it and the broadhead was at least 2 inches long. I did find some pretty pink bubbly blood later along the trail but lost the deer in a big black water swamp so I dont know much else but it can happen.
Arrows will bounce off/out of a shoulder blade hit....seen it with my own eyes.
I shot a 9pt. In 06 and the angle was such the arrow went high in the lungs and exited low and hit the deer front leg about 3"s below line of brisket. Arrow bounced right back out and laid on ground the first 10"s covered with blood. Deer walked 20 yards and fell over dead. Shawn
I think you have it right, the arrow fell out after the insert and head came off inside the body...
Doc Nock, arrow still had the black line on the end of it from the sharpie where I marked it to cut it. Maybe 6 or 7 inches of very light blood on it.
It came out so fast, I don't think it had time to drag on anything. It all happens so fast, but it sure looked like it just bounced out.
I'm just thankful that it was a quick kill. I can wait to see if they find the broadhead.
About 25 years ago I had the same experience as Shawn Leonard. Very close shot 8ish yards. Saw the arrow hit where I was looking and then watched the deer. Marked the last spot I saw it and then sat down and look at my watch. Looking at the watch I saw my arrow lying flat on the ground broadhead attached 8-10 inches covered with blood. Cleaning the deer I saw that the arrow hit high and exited low hitting the opposite leg almost cutting it in half then bounced out.
Bowmania
I had a very similar experience as Shawn and Bowmania. 8pt at 8 yards from a treestand. The deer ran 20 yards, jumped an old fence, and I saw the arrow pop out. The deer ran another 50 yards and toppled over.
Yep happens all the time. That's why I use epoxy on my hunting arrows. Sometimes it looks like it bounces off on impact. but goes through, hits the shoulder, glue breaks, arrow bounces and leaves BH.
Mike
I once helped a friend come and get me to help him track a doe he'd shot.He had the arrow in his hand.With th e 3 blade wasp only half cover in blood xx75 out of a 63 pound compound.He hit her high in the shoulder.He said the arrow bounced back 5 yards.We never did find the doe.
About 30 years ago I shot a doe and it hit the shoulder blade area, the arrow just bounced back and the broadhead was bent over on the tip, so yes a arrow can bounce back.
Was it an expandable broadhead?
Wingnut, I glue my inserts in with 5 minute epoxy too. Not for that reason but because I thought it was what most people use. Am I using the wrong stuff??
Cherokee, no it was a Muzzy Phantom on a 100 grain brass insert. I've been very impressed with the job they do. That deer went down and I had a very good blood trail considering I hit the opposite shoulder and didn't get an exit hole. That's my fault for making not a better shot.
I hit a doe square in the shoulder blade (hay-hooked the string) a couple of years ago with a cedar arrow with an Ace standard broadhead on it. The arrow broke off just behind the broadhead and bounced back so fast you would think I shot an oak tree with a blunt. The doe jacked that leg up and left running on 3 legs. She didn't go far before she bedded down and I was able to sneak up on her and get another arrow in her.
Muzzy is a very good head.
I have always heard that the faster a glue dries, the more brittle it becomes. I believe it is common practice to use a 24 hour epoxy for that reason. On carbons I use gorilla glue (takes about 24 hrs to dry) and have had very good luck with it. Mark.
I saw a video clip on this web site and a guy shot a buck and his arrow bounced 20ft off the deer. It looked like he shot it with a blunt.
bounceback is really common with compounds & mechanical broadheads
a lot has to do with the arrow and broadheads, but certainly its more common than most think IMO
Never had a broadhead break off inside a deer, but I have left a few stuck in trees over the years!
Happened to me this year on a doe, I use hot melt and the "WHACCCK" was like a firecracker when it hit the opposite sholder. The arrow bounced out and I found my snuffer lodged in the shoulder with the insert and all attached. No biggie, I saw her go down and it was deadly. Sometimes things just fall into place for the unlikely to happen!
This is just my opinion.Hot melt will give a little and hold tight.The shoulder probably was hit and the muscle movement made the arrow fall out. The epoxy probably cracked or separated on the impact of the shoulder blade.at least you got the deer
I too have watched an arrow hit a buck a bit forward and had the arrow bounce back out of the deer... This can happen.
congrats on finding the deer.
I shot a yearling doe last year and thought I had hit the near-side shoulder blade because it looked like the arrow was barely sticking in after the shot. I immediately felt sick, but it had penetrated both lungs and hit the opposite shoulder, curling the point on my 160 Snuffer (never saw that happen before) and almost bounced back out. It was a 600+ grain arrow from a Torges 57# self bow. She made it about 50 yards before piling up.
Can an arrow bounce out of a deer?? Absolutely. A couple years ago a straight up buddy with years of experience called and said he had hit a deer perfect only to see the arrow barely sticking out the entry side as the deer took off. It happened so fast he was sure he had only got a few inches of penetration. He watched the arrow fall out the entry side after a few bounces as the deer took off. He quitely got out of the tree stand and did not trail it. We decided to wait a good while before trailing. Went back and the deer had only barely made it out of site and piled up! Upon examining you could see the arrow had made it through the vitals, both lungs a perfect hit, slammed the other off side shoulder without exit and bounced or blew back out. I've since heard very similar experiences with the same result. My guess is it did exactly what you said BLEW back out the same entry hole from lung collasping etc. After all it is a pressurized compartment, who hasn't heard the air get knocked out of themselves or someone else. The only difference is your glue failed and your broadhead stuck in the off side or pulled out as it came back through. I would think its alot harder to push a broadhead down through the shaft as opposed to pulling it out. Pulling it out tests the glue. Just my opinion.
Dang Mike!! Your a mad man this year. You better leave some for seed. Congrats! Wow five deer!
Thanks Brian, I had some guy from K.C. Give me some good shooting lessons :)