I've been needing to get one more deer for the freezer so I thought I'd give it a try before the cold artic air moves in.
Yesterday evening I got situated in a tree and had a few does come through within 30 minutes. One looked perfect for my freezer. I was hunting with my 66" Hill that's 55@28. Sometimes a Hill bow just seems perfect for the job!
The doe was 15 yards, give or take, when I came to full draw. The arrow hit perfectly but only penetrated to within about 6" of the fletch.
I was using an ultra sharp Abowyer Wapiti and was very confident the deer was mine. However, I never heard her crash into the brush as I would expect with a hit like this one.
After a few minute wait I got down to take advantage of the remaining daylight. I should have waited as I find it easier to see blood at night with a good light. Anyway, I found very little blood so made a pass or two in the direction she had gone and had no luck.
Darkness fell and I picked up a very sparse blood trail and then lost it. I'd make a loop up ahead trying to pick it up and eventually would do just that. I used up a good bit of luck on this endeavor! Eventually the blood trail became easier to follow and I soon spied the deer up ahead. She had probably gone 80-90 yards through some fairly thick brush. I feel fortunate to have her in my cooler.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/jpbdas/IMG_05391024x768_zps556653c9.jpg) (http://s88.photobucket.com/user/jpbdas/media/IMG_05391024x768_zps556653c9.jpg.html)
Pat, Thats a nice Doe! Congrats!
Congrats like always Pat.
Any reason You could come up with for the lack of penetration?
bretto
Glad you got her. What do you think happened as far as the the sparse blood trail?
That's a big ole nanny!
I had the same thing happen a couple nights ago. I made a perfect shot and had a great trail from the start. Then it petered out. There was still blood but it went farther than I thought it should. I finally found her and confirmed a great shot. Sometimes it amazes me what they can do!
Congrats, Pat!
Bisch
Congratulations on your late season doe! You've had a good year! :clapper:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Beautiful doe, glad you found her.
Nice deer Pat! Good job sticking with it. Could you tell what about the shot placement or wound channel that made for a difficult track job? Just wondering, Jim
The entry wound is the one shown. I was in a tree and the exit was low, immediatly in front of her off shoulder. I suppose that as she ran the shoulder movement "sealed" off the exit wound.. The broadhead hit the major bone in the off shoulder/leg with a glancing blow. I guess that kept the penetration down..
I was able to drive my 4 wheeler to her so used the gutless method to dress her. That is, just skin and pull the quarters then the backstraps.
So I didn't get into the chest cavity but I have to believe the arrow got some of the major plumbing on top of the heart..
Congrats!
Congrats on the doe and tracking job
Congrats !
Congrats on the doe Pat! You and Bisch both put the venison away this week.
Nice doe and good job finding her. :thumbsup:
She is a big one! Congrats!
Way to go Pat! The hogs must be enjoying the break. :archer:
Great Job! Congrats on the Doe!
Goodjob pat glad to see you are giving them hogs a break!! :biglaugh:
Nice doe Pat. Good way to start off the new year.
Nice job Pat. Great use of tracking knowledge to make the find.
Very nice doe. I'm glad you were able to find her.
congrats
Nice doe!! Congrats
Congrats Pat!
Congrats Pat :thumbsup:
Always enjoy your stories!!
Good job Pat, I'm glad you found her
Congrats on a nice doe, Pat!
Bill
She looks like perfect freezer fare. Congratulations!
Pat....Excellent harvest. The measure of a deer's will to live is substantially elevated.
It may be reasonable to expect that a professional autopsy could shed some light of why some animals expire quickly while others live on for an extended time.
We may always continue to be perplexed.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats Pat!
Good job Pat. RC
Congrats!
That's live life well right there. Nice job Pat.