Lost animals.

[Bigd7400]

Just experienced a bow hunters worst nightmare, a lost animal. I was hunting in the rain when a decent whitetail buck slipped into range at about 20yds. I drew down with confidence and let fly, heard the reassuring whack and watched the buck take a few hops then stop. I thought for sure he was going down when he walked over to a thicket and stopped. As he disappeared into the thick brush I settled in and gave him about 30 minutes but much to my dismay the light rain that had been going all morning opened into a full fledge downpour. I recovered my blood soaked arrow but failed to find any sign of a blood trail. I seached the last place I saw him with no sign and then began walking circles and still nothing. Its heart wrenching to know that you put a good shot on an animal and did not recover him. I guess its part of what makes archery hunting the thing we love and the challenge that can either take you to the highest high or the lowest low.

[killerbee]

if you put a good shot on him remember, that buck is still dead. even without blood to follow, there is a great chance he is within 200yrds. use a grid pattern for a long and hard search. i shot a bull elk this year, i hit 1 lung and his liver. 27 hrs after the shot i was able to put a second arrow in him, and that was with a HUGE help from 2 buddies tracking with me.

good luck and dont give up on your search

[sneekeepete]

I shot a doe this year with my bow had a pass through but ended up only hitting one lung do to quartering angle. I had good blood but ended up having to leave the trail and continue the search in the morning. The next morning I began where I had left off at about 100 yard from shot and soon found where she had bedded and bled a lot! She wasn't there though and there was no blood trail where she left. So I did a pattern search and found her 20 yards away in some thicker cover dead as a door nail. So I agree with Killer. If you made a good shot he is dead and close by.

[Bigd7400]

Thank you guys for the confidence booster. I couldn't go out this morning to look again but I am definitely going as soon as I get off from work this afternoon. I know hes there somewhere and I'm gonna do my best to find him. I will keep you posted.

[Buckmaster]

Good luck. I know the feeling, that empty gut wrenching gut ace!
I lost a great bull elk this year, first animal I have lost in 20+ years. After 3 weeks and 5 trips into the back country we found a bull with his head cut off. Hope this dose not happen to you and you’re able to have closure!

[BOHNTR]

I've been there........

[Bigd7400]

SWEET SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! Went back out this afternoon and guess what....I FOUND HIM! I walked lines back and forth through briar thickets about every 3ft for about 100yds and lo and behold I found him. The shot was good but he was definitely a fighter as he made it about 65-70yds from where I shot him and then bedded down. His hind quarter was a little chewwed up but for the most part he was all there! Heres a pic. sorry that its not the prettiest and my truck bed is a little cluttered but I was all by my lonesome so I waited to get to my dads so he could take the pic.

[ldjbuff]

Awesome news!!

[MuleyMadness]

Good job, great news.

[Bowtech43]

Awesome job! I lost one this year and after two trips and 3 hours of searching I never could find him. It's a horrible feeling. Good on you for making that effort!