Shot a small buck, haven't found him, how long will the meat be good???

[N7XW]

Got the ground blind setup at 12 noon, shot a nice small buck at 12:35 (large spike or small forked horn - happened so quick, didnt get a great look), waited an hour to track, had small drops of blood in between 2-3" puddles then nothing. 

The last spot had 2 small puddles with flesh (kidney, liver?) with very dark blood.  This spot was about 190 yards from the shot.  Never saw evidence of a gut shot (green/brown blood).  We're going back in at first light to continue looking. 

How long do you think the meat will be good for if it takes longer to find him?  By the way, the shot looked good, 20 yards and a little back from the shoulder but maybe only 4" back.  Thanks.

[jrebel]

The nights over on the east side have been getting real cold.  Should be fine if you find him in the morning.  Make sure to get the hide off and guts off ASAP when you find him.  Good Luck.

[N7XW]

Thanks,  I guess it will be obvious if the meat has spoiled if it takes awhile?   

I'm not going to give up, will look as long as I have to.

[carpsniperg2]

Yes it should still be good. Get a early start, it has been cool at night.

[bobcat]

It might be ok, but I'd plan on possibly making pepperoni and/or sausage out of all of it.

[sebek556]

bring ice 

[KFhunter]

look for large scraped area and grass and sticks in a big pile - almost like a beaver mound
 
you might see a leg sticking out 

[Kola16]

It should be fine if you find it in the morning 

[N7XW]

Going to give it our best shot.  Marked each blood spot on the gps, downloaded it and there is a definite path, so going to try to extend it and start there.  Might have to just grid it out for awhile.

[AKBowman]

You must have hit him just slightly high. He shouldn't be far tomorrow morning and dead as a door nail if you hit him just slightly back of perfect like you said. If you hit him lower their would be more blood and if the hole in the lungs is high he may go a bit further before the lungs completely fill with blood. I would be looking within 250yds of the shot.
 
Did you find your arrow? Was it a pass through ?

[N7XW]

I didn't find the arrow but honestly didn't look for it very hard.  I was more focused on finding the deer.  It was a loud impact sounding like it crashed into his ribcage.

I think it was somewhat strange how the blood trail instantly dried up.  Maybe he was bleeding internally?   

[Kowsrule30]

Arrow is the major role in finding a wounded/moving animal..... Need that sign if you can get it..... Should really tell you where you hit... Now it's not fresh but should be able to tell for the most part if found.... You could have just pushed that deer a half mile and made it "lost" to you..... Dark blood isn't a heart or lung...... Or a main muscle with veins.... Sounds like a high hit just missing the lungs with some angle to touch the liver if the chunks are true..... From your discription.... Tough find.... Wish you luck and hope you find it..... Check for circling back in a down hill manner next to water if any of those are options....

[Fishhunt223]

Arrow is the major role in finding a wounded/moving animal..... Need that sign if you can get it..... Should really tell you where you hit... Now it's not fresh but should be able to tell for the most part if found.... You could have just pushed that deer a half mile and made it "lost" to you..... Dark blood isn't a heart or lung...... Or a main muscle with veins.... Sounds like a high hit just missing the lungs with some angle to touch the liver if the chunks are true..... From your discription.... Tough find.... Wish you luck and hope you find it..... Check for circling back in a down hill manner next to water if any of those are options....

You definitely want to find the arrow.  That is the first thing you want to do.  Also, if the deer was bleeding good, and it sounds like it was, it may be very close to the last spot you found blood.  I had a doe that I stuck and tracked her about 100 yards, the blood was good, about like you describe, but the blood just dried up and I couldn't find any more, not even a drip.  I had shot her at last light and searched for hours with flash lights.  No dice.  I decided to back out and start fresh again in the morning.  The next morning I came back at first light and found the deer not 20 yards from the last blood, piled up in some brush that was too thick to see through the night before.  The reason the blood trail dried up was that she was out of blood. 

[C-Money]

Good luck! Hope you find your deer. Keep us posted.

[Miles]

Get some peroxide, put it in a big spray bottle, and spray where you think the trail went.   When the peroxide hits the blood on the leaves/grass/etc... it will bubble and fizz up.  Mark the spot with a ribbon and continue on.