So about 2 hours later we went back in with flashlights and started tracking with very little blood and just looking around and found the bull bedded down. He had only gone about 80-200 yards and had bedded down. Keep in mind it was dark out and the bull was still alive and there was about 6 of us looking and I could not get a shot into that bull and then he stood up and bolted.
........
Ever since that elk I am all about waiting a good couple hours before I start tracking. And patience pays off but let me tell you it sucks waiting. Especially if you have to try to sleep over night.
So, sportsman, is a good couple hours longer than 2 hours, which is how long you waited at first? jk. It seems that you can hardly wait to long on an animal that was not hit ideally. Unless you see or hear the animal go down, if the shot looked bad and you have time, give them overnight. Even putting another arrow in him can be a bad idea if you think he is not going to go any further as sometimes, if they have enough life left in em, that can put the fear in them, and then how far can an animal run in 5 minutes?
