Spoilage over night?

[boneaddict]

 

[JLS]

Glad to hear it!  How far from the shot location did you guys eventually find him?  Was he still alive?

[jackelope]

Good news regarding the meat. We'll survive without pictures I suppose. Looks like a solid bull.

Congrats to your buddy....

[sakoshooter]

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.

This is what I'd do also.
Remember too that all animals bloat after dying simply because of heat and gases that can no longer escape. Bloating doesn't mean bad meat. I get sick every time I hear about an animal wasted because of bloating.

[sakoshooter]

Also, even if it does die during the hours of darkness prior to you finding it, it could have died minutes before you found it. Basically still fresh and plenty hot since it just died. Keep that in mind. I've got plenty of my own stories after 45+ years of hunting. I'm not afraid to let an animal lay over night. Every one I've ever done this with was just fine the next day.

[Bean Counter]

 JLS: good questions. He was dead on arrival about 330 yards from yesterday.

Something get at his belly there?  It looks funny to me.

After looking I think it is just his front legs .
Congrats on a nice bull.   

or where he was gut shot...

Check out the big brain on Brad! 

[JLS]

Was it stiff dead, or hadn't been dead too long?  Good blood trail?  What happened with the wound channel that the arrow had all the guts and crap on it?  Any internal organs get hit too?  A kidney wound is incredibly lethal.