Shot one and couldn't find it...:(

[Bob33]

Whether you decide you're tagged out for the season is your decision, and you should do what your conscience tells you. You've had a bad experience. Anyone who has hunted long enough can tell you a similar story or is a liar. Learn from it, and keep it in perspective.

[troyspinetar]

I don't think you should be done for the season, I think what your going through happens a lot w bow hunters. You have to do everything you can to find wounded animals, and if you do without success, you move on. You should keep your head up, move on and go redeem yourself!

Well said! Seems like lots of fellow hunters have your support!

[arrowflinger]

I don't think you should be done for the season, I think what your going through happens a lot w bow hunters. You have to do everything you can to find wounded animals, and if you do without success, you move on. You should keep your head up, move on and go redeem yourself!

I agree with the moving on part, but isn't there something ethical about not hunting since he has harvested an elk? He may not have retrieved it.

[Mike450r]

I don't think you should be done for the season, I think what your going through happens a lot w bow hunters. You have to do everything you can to find wounded animals, and if you do without success, you move on. You should keep your head up, move on and go redeem yourself!

I agree with the moving on part, but isn't there something ethical about not hunting since he has harvested an elk? He may not have retrieved it.

Your ethics and likely other's as well,  but not everybody's,  not mine.

[CedarPants]

Whether you decide you're tagged out for the season is your decision, and you should do what your conscience tells you. You've had a bad experience. Anyone who has hunted long enough can tell you a similar story or is a liar. Learn from it, and keep it in perspective.

 

Solid words of wisdom Bob, I couldn't have put it any better

[RadSav]

Go to a seasoned butcher and ask to see what they have found cutting up elk and deer.  There is usually a pile of bullets, round balls and broadheads stashed away somewhere.  I expect nearly every one of those hunters felt like they had left a dead animal up on the mountain and were ready to quit.  Some probably even did! 

It's a good thing you feel bad and upset.  That means you still have a respect for the animals you are pursuing.  If you weren't upset then I would be worried.  We are predators and like all predators we succeed some times and other times we fail.  But unlike all other predators the human predator holds our prey in high regard, give it respect, and often times worry about the manner in which we harvest our sweet protein.  Yet when you look at the ravages of death among wild predators our worst is far more humane than most other big game predators very best.

Elk and deer are tough bass turds as well as resilient.  My biggest blacktail buck was taken with a bow just a few short days after general rifle season ended.  He was bird dogging five does for a half mile while I watched.  I never saw a limp, a stumble or any sign of weakness at all in him.  When I finally caught up to them he rode a doe right into my shooting lane!  As he dismounted I sent a Zwickey Delta tipped 2219 right thru the monster's boiler room.  Upon inspection of my wonderful harvest I noticed a large bullet wound through the top of both shoulder blades.  Man, you would never have known watching him! 

After butchering we found that wound was not the first he had recovered from.  I found a jacketed .44 slug in his shoulder and a .357 slug (not legal at that time) in his hip.  Obviously from years before.  Multiple hunters failed, multiple hunters probably felt horrible as you do.  And yet this old monarch was still king of the mountain and Shag Daddy to the local doe population right up to his final moments.

Learn from your mistake.  And the ones you most obviously will encounter in the future regardless of weapon choice.  And remember...you are still the most humane predator in the woods.  Then when you do succeed process the sweet nectar of that harvest with due respect and honor.  And give thanks to the Lord for it.  For that is what separates us from the savages of the wild.

[Ripper]

Nicely put Radsav, I couldn't say it any better. I always say that if I ever loose the feeling of remorse/ respect for the animals I kill, that's when I need to quit hunting.

[boneaddict]

Some very solid mature posts in this thread.   Way to keep it on track.  Learn from your mistakes and sorry you lost your elk.

[deerhunter_98520]

I don't think you should be done for the season, I think what your going through happens a lot w bow hunters. You have to do everything you can to find wounded animals, and if you do without success, you move on. You should keep your head up, move on and go redeem yourself!

THIS HAPPENS ALOT WITH RIFLE HUNTERS TOO  That statement always gets to me when I hear people saying that bowhunters wound all the animals ...The Idea of bowhunting is having the ability to get close to animals ...if you can not get close then stick with a rifle ...  Just saying !!!! It does happen and like some of you guys said ...just move on ..maybe he will live and if not he will get eaten by something 

[trophyhunt]

Go to a seasoned butcher and ask to see what they have found cutting up elk and deer.  There is usually a pile of bullets, round balls and broadheads stashed away somewhere.  I expect nearly every one of those hunters felt like they had left a dead animal up on the mountain and were ready to quit.  Some probably even did! 

It's a good thing you feel bad and upset.  That means you still have a respect for the animals you are pursuing.  If you weren't upset then I would be worried.  We are predators and like all predators we succeed some times and other times we fail.  But unlike all other predators the human predator holds our prey in high regard, give it respect, and often times worry about the manner in which we harvest our sweet protein.  Yet when you look at the ravages of death among wild predators our worst is far more humane than most other big game predators very best.

Elk and deer are tough bass turds as well as resilient.  My biggest blacktail buck was taken with a bow just a few short days after general rifle season ended.  He was bird dogging five does for a half mile while I watched.  I never saw a limp, a stumble or any sign of weakness at all in him.  When I finally caught up to them he rode a doe right into my shooting lane!  As he dismounted I sent a Zwickey Delta tipped 2219 right thru the monster's boiler room.  Upon inspection of my wonderful harvest I noticed a large bullet wound through the top of both shoulder blades.  Man, you would never have known watching him! 

After butchering we found that wound was not the first he had recovered from.  I found a jacketed .44 slug in his shoulder and a .357 slug (not legal at that time) in his hip.  Obviously from years before.  Multiple hunters failed, multiple hunters probably felt horrible as you do.  And yet this old monarch was still king of the mountain and Shag Daddy to the local doe population right up to his final moments.

Learn from your mistake.  And the ones you most obviously will encounter in the future regardless of weapon choice.  And remember...you are still the most humane predator in the woods.  Then when you do succeed process the sweet nectar of that harvest with due respect and honor.  And give thanks to the Lord for it.  For that is what separates us from the savages of the wild.

perfect! Absolutely 100% the best response possible, I would take this to heart and go hunting!

[trophyhunt]

Nicely put Radsav, I couldn't say it any better. I always say that if I ever loose the feeling of remorse/ respect for the animals I kill, that's when I need to quit hunting.

I have also felt the same way, if I ever don't feel bad about the kill or loose respect for the animal, the weapon will be a camera. This has been a good positive thread!

[smartazz171]

I don't think you should be done for the season, I think what your going through happens a lot w bow hunters. You have to do everything you can to find wounded animals, and if you do without success, you move on. You should keep your head up, move on and go redeem yourself!

I agree unless it has you down. Don't worry about the mistake. Learn and move on buy a moral hunter takes it hard, which it seems you have. 

[lghtnquik]

Look back and learn from it that's life. But sure as heck don't get out of the woods keep at it.

[herdbull33]

Thanks for the words of wisdom and support.

[Becky]

Go to a seasoned butcher and ask to see what they have found cutting up elk and deer.  There is usually a pile of bullets, round balls and broadheads stashed away somewhere.  I expect nearly every one of those hunters felt like they had left a dead animal up on the mountain and were ready to quit.  Some probably even did! 

It's a good thing you feel bad and upset.  That means you still have a respect for the animals you are pursuing.  If you weren't upset then I would be worried.  We are predators and like all predators we succeed some times and other times we fail.  But unlike all other predators the human predator holds our prey in high regard, give it respect, and often times worry about the manner in which we harvest our sweet protein.  Yet when you look at the ravages of death among wild predators our worst is far more humane than most other big game predators very best.

Elk and deer are tough bass turds as well as resilient.  My biggest blacktail buck was taken with a bow just a few short days after general rifle season ended.  He was bird dogging five does for a half mile while I watched.  I never saw a limp, a stumble or any sign of weakness at all in him.  When I finally caught up to them he rode a doe right into my shooting lane!  As he dismounted I sent a Zwickey Delta tipped 2219 right thru the monster's boiler room.  Upon inspection of my wonderful harvest I noticed a large bullet wound through the top of both shoulder blades.  Man, you would never have known watching him! 

After butchering we found that wound was not the first he had recovered from.  I found a jacketed .44 slug in his shoulder and a .357 slug (not legal at that time) in his hip.  Obviously from years before.  Multiple hunters failed, multiple hunters probably felt horrible as you do.  And yet this old monarch was still king of the mountain and Shag Daddy to the local doe population right up to his final moments.

Learn from your mistake.  And the ones you most obviously will encounter in the future regardless of weapon choice.  And remember...you are still the most humane predator in the woods.  Then when you do succeed process the sweet nectar of that harvest with due respect and honor.  And give thanks to the Lord for it.  For that is what separates us from the savages of the wild.

You're awesome RadSav, I love reading your posts. Been following this thread, and your response is top notch. I wish more people would know the emotional side of hunting, the animal respect and admiration.. that it's not how all the anti's picture it with blood guts celebration and savagery.