A tough question to ask!

[Martinhunter]

Hey all, well I went out after Thanksgiving dinner for a couple hours and managed to get a shot on a nice little buck, a 30 yard shot but it hit just a little far back then I would have liked but a definate lung shot. Well I found my arrow covered in blood and a few spots of blood witch led in to some nasty nasty thick black berry and devils clubs that were 6 ft tall, very very thick. I looked as hard as I could until a little after dark and said that I would get back at it at first light tomarrow. I hate sitting here knowing my deer is out there dead. My question is how long can I wait before the meat starts to spoil? I shot it right about 3:00 this afternoon. If I find it at first light that will be 16 hours. This kills me, I hate this part of bow hunting. If I don't find this deer I will still notch my tag on it. Does anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks guys.

[Turkeyman]

If you are sure you hit lungs call some friends and grab some lights and go find your deer.

[cascademountainhunter]

the meat will be fine if u find it tomarow good luck to ya

[jason4429]

The meat will be fine.good luck finding it .

[PolarBear]

It is near 50 degrees over here, go after it tonight or some of it will probably spoil.  If it was dipping around freezing it would be "okay" to leave it but I think that it is a tad too warm if you want the meat.  I wouldn't leave an animal overnight unless I absolutely had to.  Get some lights and friends and find it.

[littlebuf]

  especially if you think there is any possibility of a partial gut shot (you said you hit a little farther back) that could spoil the whole thing. if i was closer id offer to help you look tonight. go get him and get him gutted

[huntnphool]

Go look right now and stay out till you find it.

[stumprat]

Do you need some help?

[Schmalzfam]

That's very nice of you to offer him help. Personally, I would look. Grab some flashlights and something to cut up the bushes. If you gut shot it at all, I have heard they try to get to water..but, not a for sure thing. If you can find an back way and circle around the nasty stuff, you may find him on the edges.. I wouldn't give up!! Good luck:)

[robodad]

I have found deer after dark using a colman propane lantern, the blood appears as black spots on the ground, I actually prefer to look after dark with a lantern because your focus is much narrower and you can concentrate better at least that is what I have found, works good !!!

Get after it tonight or you'll have chewed (coyotes) up partially spoiled meat and you'll feel even worse if that happens !!!

Good luck !!

[TheHunt]

Grab the flash lights call your buddies go find your deer.

Embrace the darkness and have some fun.

I would help you but I am doing the morning urban hunting at at Walmart. 

[stumprat]

I sent you my phone # in a PM.
If you need help shoot me a call. No one in the house gets pissed if the phone rings early or late.

[Buckoholic]

Lets go find er!!!!!! Should be fine till first light but way funner to track in the dar!!! Plus you dont over look stuff in the dark!!!

[bobcat]

It's raining pretty hard here. I'd be worried about the blood trail being washed away with the rain. I'd get some help and get out there as soon as possible. Take a machete or two for that devil's club and blackberries.  

Looking forward to seeing a picture, so don't forget a camera!  And get a pic of where you find him.   

[Little Dave]

Deer hide and fat should preserve some of the animal's core heat.  Looks like the overnight temperature at Chehalis will dip below 40F (maximum cold storage temperature) for a few hours Friday morning.  Probably should have stayed there.  Hope it turns out.