tracking bull

[ruttnbuck]

just wondering what your thoughts where .. I arrowed a bull this morning at 60 yrds which  I'm confident taking but I hit him either in the shoulder low or slightly behind the shoulder low because I heard a loud crack when it hit . after I hit him he just stood there for a few seconds and realized he was hit and started running off I could see the arrow waving around as he was moving like it was stuck in shoulder or behind shoulder low . I gave him 3 hours and returned to track and found pretty good blood and found arrow with blood about 5- 6 inches down but the broadhead  was all chewed up and basically gone . we trailed it for about 300 yrds and it got down too just seeing a spot here and there but the blood we had was bright and sticky. we eventually lost all blood . going to go back out tomorrow and try again .this is my first elk

[Button Nubbs]

Get on your hands and knees and look for the tiniest spots of blood. It will also give you better perspective on what trails the may have taken. Don't give up! My first bull was a bad hit but I stuck with it and found him the next day. Good luck!

[Fowlweather25]

5-6 inches is a dead bull. Stick with it and look for the smallest details. You will find him if he is hit where you say he was. 

[Martinhunter]

Good luck bro, let me know if you guys need a hand. At least the weather is cooperating for tracking.

[elk247]

There is a decent chance that the bull will be alive in the morning. From your description of the sound and only 5 inches of blood on the arrow it very likely is a shoulder hit. Be very careful not to bump him from his bed. Go slow and make sure your help stays quiet. Be prepared to get another arrow in him. Best of luck, go get that bull so we can welcome you to the club. 

[longrangekiller]

Wish ya the best of luck just don't give up on him and bring that bow with he might be walking around still 

[coachcw]

good luck , I hope I hope it works out .

[Bullkllr]

Good luck. Keep at it until all resources are exhausted.

[pilebuck]

Another wounded elk running around 60 yards def finate shoulder shot to bad and the rain is coming look day and night not a good feeling been there done that good luck

[Hunting7mm]

My good friend had the same thing happen.  He gave up bow hunting after not finding the elk. This stuff happens I hope you find him...

[ruttnbuck]

Thanks guys for the pointers, put in a full day and found blood again but was very scarce. we determined that the shot only hit the upper leg but below the shoulder and didn't hit vitals just the leg bone, Hopefully he's able to recover ok from it .  I know things happen but its always tuff walking away not 100%sure  it wasn't a fatal shot and again I wish they would allow expandable broadheads .

[Button Nubbs]

Thanks guys for the pointers, put in a full day and found blood again but was very scarce. we determined that the shot only hit the upper leg but below the shoulder and didn't hit vitals just the leg bone, Hopefully he's able to recover ok from it .  I know things happen but its always tuff walking away not 100%sure  it wasn't a fatal shot and again I wish they would allow expandable broadheads .

[BABackcountryBwhntr]

while I agree that it is stupid we can not use expandables, you can not use that as a reason why you lost this bull... you made a bad shot.. plain and simple.... it happens.... I have bowhunted and competed at a high level for many years... I lost a 5x5 this year at 18 yrds.... had a brain fart and aimed wrong at the angle he was at.... tracked him for 9 days.. 2 straight then 7 more while hunting the same area...... Ive killed plenty of game at 50-60 yrds... just be sure of the shot before you take it.... always.