Post by: Torrent50 on October 04, 2022, 10:16:17 PM
My question is, what type of blood trail can you expect with a muzzy? I know there are a multitude of variables like with archery or modern, but in general, do they behave like the others or differently?
Thanks for any input and sorry if it's a goofy question?
Post by: Farmer72 on October 05, 2022, 12:01:47 AM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on October 05, 2022, 04:59:35 AM
My buddy called last night and said he shot a cow elk at 60 yards quartering to and then the cow stood there, turned so he re loaded and shot her again. Pretty close range so we think both shots hit the mark. No blood. The cow kinda stumbled off and headed out. He and my bro had trouble tracking her so they’re bringing bros dog this morning(new state rule)
Anyway, my thought is that the muzzy projectiles don’t leave the body so there’s less holes to leak out. She’s probably dead somewhere. Is this correct?
Is the optimal shot going to be a high shoulder to immobilize the animal? Thanks for any advice.
Post by: muleyslayer on October 05, 2022, 05:07:33 AM
Post by: HntnFsh on October 05, 2022, 05:43:04 AM
Post by: Torrent50 on October 05, 2022, 06:04:27 AM
I’ve never hunted muzzy, mainly an archery guy so blood trails are usually very good.
My buddy called last night and said he shot a cow elk at 60 yards quartering to and then the cow stood there, turned so he re loaded and shot her again. Pretty close range so we think both shots hit the mark. No blood. The cow kinda stumbled off and headed out. He and my bro had trouble tracking her so they’re bringing bros dog this morning(new state rule)
Anyway, my thought is that the muzzy projectiles don’t leave the body so there’s less holes to leak out. She’s probably dead somewhere. Is this correct?
Is the optimal shot going to be a high shoulder to immobilize the animal? Thanks for any advice.
Man that is so similar. Her bull was at between 75 and 80 downhill (angle corrected range). First shot, no reaction but took a couple steps forward and then stood there looking up in our direction. Reloaded and fired the second and he took off. We could hear the herd taking off to our left and found where they tore down the hillside into the timber. No blood along that trail. Circles on hands and knees around where the shot was found nothing. Gridding out in both directions also nothing. I went down to a spur road in the direction the herd went and found where some came out onto and across the road. Later my buddy found where they grouped up and trotted down the spur road, across the mainline and into the thick stuff there. There were bull tracks in the group. Still not a speck of blood.
Ironically, I have a German Shorthair that is gun-shy and won't be a bird dog that I toyed with the idea of training to track last winter, but as with many things, I never got around to it. Damnit.
Post by: LDennis24 on October 05, 2022, 06:26:36 AM
Post by: Torrent50 on October 05, 2022, 06:34:40 AM
Find out where exactly she aimed the gun for the shot. Alot of folks think you need to aim high with a muzzleloader when they misjudge the distance and the guns capabilities and shoot over the animal. Especially on a downhill shot. :dunno:
Mid body behind the crease. She is a really good shot too. I've seen her under pressure in different situations and she doesn't get rattled. But most open sight experience has been with a handgun or at shorter ranges so I suppose anything is possible.
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on October 05, 2022, 06:40:16 AM
If it’s still been 72 hours or less I’d bring the GSP. Dogs can track regardless of any training. They have amazing noses. On a leash is the new rule. Good luck.I’ve never hunted muzzy, mainly an archery guy so blood trails are usually very good.
My buddy called last night and said he shot a cow elk at 60 yards quartering to and then the cow stood there, turned so he re loaded and shot her again. Pretty close range so we think both shots hit the mark. No blood. The cow kinda stumbled off and headed out. He and my bro had trouble tracking her so they’re bringing bros dog this morning(new state rule)
Anyway, my thought is that the muzzy projectiles don’t leave the body so there’s less holes to leak out. She’s probably dead somewhere. Is this correct?
Is the optimal shot going to be a high shoulder to immobilize the animal? Thanks for any advice.
Man that is so similar. Her bull was at between 75 and 80 downhill (angle corrected range). First shot, no reaction but took a couple steps forward and then stood there looking up in our direction. Reloaded and fired the second and he took off. We could hear the herd taking off to our left and found where they tore down the hillside into the timber. No blood along that trail. Circles on hands and knees around where the shot was found nothing. Gridding out in both directions also nothing. I went down to a spur road in the direction the herd went and found where some came out onto and across the road. Later my buddy found where they grouped up and trotted down the spur road, across the mainline and into the thick stuff there. There were bull tracks in the group. Still not a speck of blood.
Ironically, I have a German Shorthair that is gun-shy and won't be a bird dog that I toyed with the idea of training to track last winter, but as with many things, I never got around to it. Damnit.
Post by: baldopepper on October 05, 2022, 07:42:03 AM
Post by: davew on October 05, 2022, 09:16:46 AM
Post by: duckmen1 on October 05, 2022, 09:43:11 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on October 05, 2022, 09:45:04 AM
Post by: northwesthunter84 on October 05, 2022, 09:47:31 AM
Post by: Torrent50 on October 05, 2022, 07:21:45 PM
Post by: Dark2Dark on October 05, 2022, 07:29:28 PM
Thank everyone for the info. I appreciate it. I feel more confident it was a clean miss and he's out there doing elk stuff at this very moment.I’d be happy to come try to find him! Haha.
I doubt he was hit in the shoulder. A muzzleloader shot to the shoulder will take them off their feet. They might get back up, but you’ll be able to tell they were hit.
High hits won’t bleed well as the chest cavity needs to fill before it starts spilling out (or they need to lie down).
The bull my dad shot Sunday went down immediately, but flopped around for a few while he reloaded. Even after the second shot, there was basically no blood.
Post by: LDennis24 on October 06, 2022, 05:44:37 PM