Spoilage over night?

[Bean Counter]

My buddy just arrowed a big Arizona bull about four hours ago. Found the arrow and its covered in poo and guts. Crap--a gut shot. Found his direction of travel but he doesn't want to push it. It's supposed to be low 50s tonight. I want to look for it tonight. He wants to hold off. Will the meat be any good if we don't find him until tomorrow am?

[Bullkllr]

Guessing NO. I'd get a good light and have at it.

[6haase6]

He is dead got get him!!!

[HHPro]

My experience with gutshot animals have always tasted sour so I think either way the meat might be a loss :dunno:hope you recover the animal either way good luck might get lucky and the meat will be just fine.

[Bean Counter]

Thanks. I've put a few animals on the ground and been lucky enough to get to all of them the same day. It's not like this is a whitetail in snow covered Saskatchewan.

[Bean Counter]

Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?

[Bullkllr]

No, but weather conditions would have to be a big factor. Temps in the 50s would scare me. Lots of heat in that animal.

[Bean Counter]

Agreed.

Damn. You can't ask for better moonlight. As tired as you can get after a long day of hunting, I can't rest thinking of all that meat rotting.

[coyotecrazy]

Really depends on how long he made it after the shot. Gut shot can live awhile or die tonight. I know that's not the answer you want. I would go for it. Nice and slow with flagging tape. Good luck

[JLS]

Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?

Yes.

If the arrow is covered in poo and guts, that elk is not likely to die tonight.  I'd say there is a very high likelihood it will need another arrow, which isn't going to happen in the dark (I hope).

Follow the trail in the morning, still hunting as quietly as you can.  I had to shoot an elk a second time a few years ago, in its bed facing away.

[Button Nubbs]

Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?

Yes, 2 years ago. Too steep of an angle and only got one lung. I shot him at 930 in the morning, jumped him twice throughout the day and found him the next day at 930 am. Meat was still good but I've eaten better since. It wasnt bad by any means though.

[Bean Counter]

Ok. Well he wants to wait.  See what we get come morning. More stories welcome.

[JLS]

Ok. Well he wants to wait.  See what we get come morning. More stories welcome.

Good call in my opinion.  The meat certainly won't be any good if you never find it.  Good luck and go slow.

[blacktail luv]

I made a horrible shot on a bull when I was younger.  I knew it was back and low.  Went back the next morning and jumped him, he had only went 100 yards before bedding but was sick enough that I easily put a kill shot on him.  I would definitely let him lay, chances are he won't die tonight and will bed down soon, push him in the dark and you may never see him again.   If you loose the trail he will definitely head for water as he gets sick. Good luck, you will find him, gut shots are lethal.

[carpsniperg2]

At that temp the meat should be ok. Gut shot can make it taste funky but not spoiled. When ever a animal is worked up it can throw the taste as well. I would bet if it was a really bad gut shot that like said he will find him alive and need to finish him off.  He will probably be really sick and maybe in shock so it is best to let him sit over night. No one likes to let animals suffer but bumping him at night is not a good idea.