Possibly wounded a buck today

[WA hunter14]

I shot at a nice muley buck this afternoon around 4:30 and he didn't go down within site, my boss was watching with his binos and said he thinks I hit it a little too far back. I have never wounded a deer before and therefore haven't gut shot one before so I am looking for suggestions on what to do incase in my stress I am forgetting anything. I did not go look for blood or hair yet because I didn't want to spook him. So far my plan is to go back in the morning and start at where he was standing when I first shot( I try'ed follow up shots but to see the buck through the trees I had to leave the only rest around and I never had another steady shot), I think from the softness of the soil I will be able to follow his tracks with or without blood at least for a ways. He bucked when I shot then walked next to some trees and hunched a little then walked behind some other trees and then after a minute he bolted across the hillside probably 100 yards and into a draw I couldn't really see into. He had been trying a doe and after I shot he did not follow he up the hill. I have some flagging to mark sign if I find any, Is it possible that birds might find him tonight? pretty sick feeling, times going by slow so im trying to make sure I do everything possible. Thanks

[youngbull]

Take it slow glass ahead of you
If you find sign mark it
Look high and low right and left side of trees and brush
Take small circles
And go beyond where you think you may be to far

[Timberstalker]

What's the temperature there right now?

[WA hunter14]

thanks for reply's temp is 39 degrees

[vandeman17]

If it was me, I would have at least went and looked where he was standing at your first shot. I say this only because you said you saw him run a ways so that takes away the risk of bumping him. With that said, hopefully it doesn't rain and you can get in, take your time and find him. Like what was said, mark spots you find sign of blood as you go. Be patient and good luck!

[jrebel]

Why did you not go look for blood or hair?  If he bolted 100 yards away....you should have went and looked.  Next time give a few minutes and sneak in to point of impact.  if he isn't close you shouldn't spook him if you are quiet.  You could have a good shot on him and not know it.  If sign was not good at or within 20-30 yards of point of impact...then back out.  Either way.....mark his trail tomorrow and pay attention to direction of travel.  A wounded buck will likely go down hill.  He will also look for heavy brush or water.   Keep it slow and pay close attention to every detail.  Good luck and make sure to keep us informed.  Also.....where are you?  Maybe you can recruit some help from forum members. 

[WAcoyotehunter]

keep your spirits up. it's going to be a looonnnnggg night for you.

If you hit him back in the gut, he will very likely be dead by morning, but be prepared for him to jump anyway.  Like youngbull said, slowly and quietly check the whole area for blood and tracks, obviously follow a trail if possible.  If no trail, slowly walk and glass in the direction he went.  sometimes a gut shot deer won't go very far to bed and die if he hasn't been pressured/jumped.  He might be laying right where you lost sight of him, or you might have to grid the area.  A GPS helps with that

Hang in there, check the whole area do your very best.

[Britt-dog]

If he was gut shot and you didnt push him at all, then he will have bedded down close by. if nothing bumped him he will be there in the am, dead. at 39 degrees the meat should be be fine.

[WA hunter14]

If it was me, I would have at least went and looked where he was standing at your first shot. I say this only because you said you saw him run a ways so that takes away the risk of bumping him. With that said, hopefully it doesn't rain and you can get in, take your time and find him. Like what was said, mark spots you find sign of blood as you go. Be patient and good luck!

I wanted to but it was across a river and I wouldnt have been able to go home and get my raft and come back in time, the only real thing that is odd to me is that he randomly ran off after he was looking sick, if he was shot too far back why all the sudden would he decide to bolt off? I was about 300 yards away I dont think he was worried to much about me?

[JLS]

Go slow and be ready for a follow up shot.  He likely bedded down in the closest cover and will stay there unless bumped.

If he dies early in the night you may lose some meat.  I would go directly to where you last saw him as soon as it is legal shooting light.  Play the wind and glass a lot.  Good luck!


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[WA hunter14]

I wasn't out hunting intentionally, I was on my way home from work and my boss spotted him. If I was then I would have had my raft.

[JLS]

The unprovoked run happens sometimes with mortally wounded animals.


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[WA hunter14]

I am in Idaho so probably a long ways from any help but that should be fine If I can find him he wont be a hard pack out.

[JLS]

Also, birds won't find him tonight.  If you jump a coyote in the morning check the area around there very thoroughly.


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[WA hunter14]

The unprovoked run happens sometimes with mortally wounded animals.


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I hope that is the case, sort of like a last burst of life thing?

I dont know if it matters but i was shooting a 7mm 08 with 139 hornady superformance sst's