Expert: Kent Staubus - 10/24/2009

Question
Kent thanks for the reply on the shoulder hit buck I went back at first light and put all day in looking for this deer it really made me sick ,not to find him dont have a dog or know anybody with one I really put a long day in and passed up a shot at a better buck at first light knowing I was looking for the one I wounded no more blood I was able to track him another fifty yards or so but probably walked a total off 5 miles or so in various circles in this valley including walking in the steam that was at the base of the valley for 300 yards or so with total thickets all around I suspect he will bleed out in the brush some place, the up side to this story is that I found a dead gut shot 8 point not 50 yards from my stand while walking the stream. It Looked to be about 2 weeks old, at first I thought it was mine but then saw the decay and a whole dead center guts.I think its true about what I have have learned about how and where a deer is hit and how they react for the most part, meaning a gut shot deer will seek water to drink this second buck was lying on a gravel bar next to the stream.It sure will make me feel better to clean this buck up grab his horns and move him to better location for his final resting spot sort of pay back for the shoulder hit deer
really only one question or more of reassurance is it better to aim behind the shoulders if I find myself in the same situation but probably Ill wait for a good side shot, don't want to have this happen again thanks glen

Answer
I think everyone loses a deer at some point if they hunt long enough.  Shot placement is vital, but you might also do some more research on the type of arrow point you used.  I only hunt wtih a rifle, and pretty much only takes shots where the bullet will hit a lung.  Sounds like you did everything you could to find the deer.  These things happen every now & then.


Good luck!
Kent in SD