Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:28:48 PM

Title: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:28:48 PM: 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
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: youngbull on November 01, 2016, 08:36:45 PM: 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
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Timberstalker on November 01, 2016, 08:38:51 PM: What's the temperature there right now?
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:41:46 PM: thanks for reply's temp is 39 degrees
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: vandeman17 on November 01, 2016, 08:43:16 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jrebel on November 01, 2016, 08:45:57 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on November 01, 2016, 08:46:26 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Britt-dog on November 01, 2016, 08:46:33 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:46:58 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on November 01, 2016, 08:43:16 PM
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?
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JLS on November 01, 2016, 08:49:19 PM: 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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Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:50:15 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JLS on November 01, 2016, 08:51:04 PM: The unprovoked run happens sometimes with mortally wounded animals.

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Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:52:15 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JLS on November 01, 2016, 08:54:01 PM: 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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Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:54:46 PM: Quote from: JLS on November 01, 2016, 08:51:04 PM
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
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: N7XW on November 01, 2016, 08:56:41 PM: I wouldn't expect birds just yet. Also, you probably already know this, but a lack of a blood trail doesn't necessarily mean he didn't go a certain way. I learned that the hard way a few years back, thought for sure there would be blood all the way based on how much there was to start with. LONG story short, I finally found him weeks later because of the birds, and smell as I got closer. Good luck, don't give up.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: DaveMonti on November 01, 2016, 10:07:49 PM: You didn't do anything wrong. I've recovered several deer that I left overnight after I was unsure of the hit.
The biggest issue will be finding sign in the AM. You saw where he dropped into a draw, so look for sign between where you shot him and where you last saw him. If he's bleeding little, he may be gut shot, but will probably be dead. I doubt that coyotes will find him unless the place is overrun with them. If he spurted blood, you have a good hit and he's probably right where you last saw him.

Deer behavior is tough to figure out, especially after they are hit. Some just stand there looking disoriented, others bolt for a long ways after being hit in the vitals, others hunch up or jump into the air and kick their legs. I don't think there is anything you can figure out by what he does after he's hit. He's just running away from a threat and trying to stay alive, even if he's mortally wounded.

You have cool weather and an undisturbed deer. You will find him, just take it slow and keep your eyes open, ears open, and even use your nose. Make a simple plan in your head of what you are going to do in the AM and that is all you can do for now. I know it's tough to leave a deer over night, but in this case, it was the right thing to do.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JLS on November 01, 2016, 10:08:40 PM: Quote from: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 08:54:46 PM
Quote from: JLS on November 01, 2016, 08:51:04 PM
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

Yep, a death run of sorts.

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Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 10:21:30 PM: thanks everyone for the input, I have a good idea now of what I need to do in the morning and I dont feel good but I feel like there is hope.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: PastorJoel on November 01, 2016, 10:26:32 PM: My buck last year left no obvious blood trail but was dead 75 yards from where I shot him.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: N7XW on November 01, 2016, 10:29:31 PM: Quote from: WA hunter14 on November 01, 2016, 10:21:30 PM
thanks everyone for the input, I have a good idea now of what I need to do in the morning and I dont feel good but I feel like there is hope.
Let us know how tomorrow morning goes.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jhawk13 on November 01, 2016, 10:35:14 PM: Ok, it sounds like he was hit hard. The most important thing to do tomorrow is be calm and get on the trail. While this may seem easy, coming back in the morning can sometimes lead to issues. So, no matter what stay calm and composed, you will be more observant this way. Once you find it, Mark it, and proceed hunting the animal as if he wasn't shot yet. Almost like still hunting blacktails, you don't want to miss anything. He will have had quite a time to die, so more than likely he's piled up dead somewhere, but you never know so be ready for a follow up shot!
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Mfowl on November 01, 2016, 10:35:44 PM: I hope you marked or gps'd the place you took your shot from. Things have a way of looking a little different the second time around. Good luck, hope you find him!
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: boneaddict on November 01, 2016, 10:48:40 PM: At least your boss was with you so you might get the day off tomorrow. If so, good for him. Good luck!
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: csaaphill on November 01, 2016, 11:06:38 PM: tagging
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Firedogg on November 01, 2016, 11:50:44 PM: Keep a close eye on trees with limbs close to the ground. They like bedding down next to those where they feel hidden but can still see. My guess is you find him permanently sleeping.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 02, 2016, 06:48:49 AM: Good luck. Use your GPS if you get stuck to search a grid from the last spot you can find tracks or blood.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: C-Money on November 02, 2016, 06:51:51 AM: Good luck finding your deer...
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: 260Rem on November 02, 2016, 07:16:31 AM: Wow
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 02, 2016, 07:57:57 AM: Let us know how it goes today.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Rainier10 on November 02, 2016, 08:41:59 AM: Hoping for a recovery. My guess is the dash at the end was a death run and he will be close to where you last saw him. Definitely mark any blood or tracks, you can then look back and get a general idea of the direction he was headed if you run out of tracks and blood. Follow that same direction and hopefully you will pick up the trail again.

Good luck man and keep us posted.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jackmaster on November 02, 2016, 08:42:32 AM: Tagging, hoping for a recovery..
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Elkrunner on November 02, 2016, 09:11:05 AM: keep at it. I had a similar experience last year. Went back in the am and found the deer.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: BoomWhop on November 02, 2016, 09:34:15 AM: Good luck
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Gringo31 on November 02, 2016, 12:12:58 PM: Quote
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.

:tup:

From this report....I'd be willing to wager you find him in that draw VERY close to where you saw him last.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jhawk13 on November 02, 2016, 12:13:06 PM: Well?
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JLS on November 02, 2016, 12:18:49 PM: Quote from: Gringo31 on November 02, 2016, 12:12:58 PM
Quote
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.

:tup:

From this report....I'd be willing to wager you find him in that draw VERY close to where you saw him last.

Pretty much what I was thinking also.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 02, 2016, 01:11:55 PM: If you lose his tracks, get your head down low and look along the direction of travel from the last known tracks - often you can see the disturbance in the vegetation that is not visible when looking down on it. Otherwise, lots of good advice here, a couple more pointers:

Mark where you shot from, so you can look back after you cross the river and are trying to find where he was standing.

Flag blood, hair, bone or muscle fragments. Even if you are following a good trail, flag a second location before you lose sight of the last flag. If you lose the trail, it will help pick it up again.

When looking for blood, don't forget to look at the grass and brush at deer level - if the bullet didn't exit and he's not dripping blood, he may still be brushing blood on to the standing vegetation he passes through.

As previously mentioned, using a GPS to grid out the area can be a great help.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: 1bugman on November 02, 2016, 01:41:52 PM: Tagging along. Hope you already found him!
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Rainier10 on November 02, 2016, 01:57:41 PM: This thread and the information in it is exactly the kind of stuff that needs to be in a special stickied topic for new hunters.

Tons of good information here.

@jennabug :chuckle:
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jennabug on November 02, 2016, 02:08:32 PM: Quote from: Rainier10 on November 02, 2016, 01:57:41 PM
This thread and the information in it is exactly the kind of stuff that needs to be in a special stickied topic for new hunters.

Tons of good information here.

@jennabug :chuckle:
Yes! I absolutely agree. I've been watching this one.
I've also been trying to absorb this all for myself, and remind myself that after the holidays (and after our basement's flood damage is repaired) will be less crazy for putting FAQs together.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JBabcock on November 02, 2016, 02:10:17 PM: Indeed. Lots of good info.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jasnt on November 02, 2016, 02:13:56 PM: Tagging
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jhawk13 on November 02, 2016, 02:15:41 PM: Quote from: DOUBLELUNG on November 02, 2016, 01:11:55 PM
If you lose his tracks, get your head down low and look along the direction of travel from the last known tracks - often you can see the disturbance in the vegetation that is not visible when looking down on it. Otherwise, lots of good advice here, a couple more pointers:

Mark where you shot from, so you can look back after you cross the river and are trying to find where he was standing.

Flag blood, hair, bone or muscle fragments. Even if you are following a good trail, flag a second location before you lose sight of the last flag. If you lose the trail, it will help pick it up again.

When looking for blood, don't forget to look at the grass and brush at deer level - if the bullet didn't exit and he's not dripping blood, he may still be brushing blood on to the standing vegetation he passes through.

As previously mentioned, using a GPS to grid out the area can be a great help.

I have never done it, but I have heard of people wrapping toilet paper around their hands and wiping the toilet paper against taller vegetation or brush they think the animal went through. Blood should show up on the toilet paper...
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jasnt on November 02, 2016, 02:18:13 PM: Peroxide in a spray bottle. It will only foam up on blood or tick poo
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: lamrith on November 02, 2016, 02:31:32 PM: Last 2 posts are great information. I carry both for that reason now.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jackelope on November 02, 2016, 02:34:07 PM: Quote from: lamrith on November 02, 2016, 02:31:32 PM
Last 2 posts are great information. I carry both for that reason now.

Especially the tick poo part.
:tup:
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Bill W on November 02, 2016, 03:42:47 PM: If you're using a flashlight fresh blood shows up real good at night. Looks like shiny little buttons.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: grundy53 on November 02, 2016, 03:57:39 PM: Find him?

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Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: WA hunter14 on November 02, 2016, 05:57:08 PM: alright I just got home from work, I cleanly missed the buck. there was not a spec of blood fat or hair, the ground was soft enough I was able to follow his tracks for probably an hour and never found any place he laid down or any sign of blood or hair or anything like that. I found where my first shot hit the hillside above him, I walked every ridge and draw and sidehill for half of the day and never saw him or any sign of a wounded deer, this area all burned last august there was no brush he could have been laying in. When I got home I shot my rifle and it was 7 inches high at 100 yards the buck was at 215 at my first shot. Im thinking the reason he kicked was that when I shot chunks of sand or dirt must have hit him and scared him? I walked my but off until lunch time and never saw anything but healthy deer. I did circle after circle until I worked out that he could not be near by, then I went back to where he was when I shot and worked out what tracks were his(fairly easy to do, much larger than all the others) and followed then, he gained probably 500-700 ft in elevation before I couldn't keep straight what track was his and I was convinced he had to be healthy to be doing this. The terrain is horrible steep, bluffy ridges and canyons. 140-150 inch 5x5 but thankful I missed instead of wounded him. Thank you everyone for all the advice! I agree with what was said above, this thread does contain valuable info and Im glad to learn off of a situation that worked out in the end.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: lokidog on November 02, 2016, 06:07:37 PM: Good job keeping at it and verifying! Good luck for another one.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jrebel on November 02, 2016, 06:30:50 PM: Sounds like you gave it heck.....strong work!! Thanks for the update and good luck finding another one.
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: huntnfmly on November 02, 2016, 06:44:43 PM: Good on you for putting in that type of effort to make sure
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: jennabug on November 02, 2016, 07:39:59 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: JLS on November 02, 2016, 07:44:38 PM: Good on you for putting forth the effort to make sure of things! You'll sleep easy tonight .

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Title: Re: Possibly wounded a buck today
Post by: Time Immemorial 1855 on November 02, 2016, 07:45:06 PM: Maybe a liver shot also, if so he shouldnt be to far from where you last saw him, track the tracks first, then if you loose or dont find any sign, start doing circles