Lost Deer

Buckhunter

Buckhunter

New Member
Last Monday I hit a big buck,maybe the biggest one I've ever shot>I hit him to far forward so I waited about 3 hour's after the shot to go look.When I went in to the willow's and started looking he ran out the other end,I knew then that I was in trouble.Me and my partner found two spot's were he bedded down but the blood was spotty,Then we completly lost all blood sign.We went on for about a half mile and then stopped and gave up,there was no blood and no tracks anywhere.I am really having a hard time trying to think of what I could have done different beside's screwing up the shot.Should I go and scour the timber in hope's of finding this deer,I don'te think he will make it but I'm not sure.Please help,I'm going crazy wondering what I should do,Also he ran into private property so I can not carry my bow if I go to look for him,so even if I do see him alive there will not be a chance for a follow up shot.Please let me know what I can or should do.
Thank's,
Buckhunter
 
I did the same thing last weekend except my deer was not that big. I believe it's the hunter's duty to do anything in their power to find their kill. I would scour the woods, talk to locals, especially farmers or other hunters and let them know your dilema. There's nothing worse then losing your kill, but that's why we call it hunting. I hope you find your buck! Let us know what happens and don't give up easily.
Big Timber
 
Do deer normally try to circle around when there hurt and being pushed.I am trying to get a fill for where he may have went.I don'te know wether to stay low in the creek bottom or go up and circle back.If all else fail's I will just start walking randomly and hope I can locate him.
Thank's
 
A couple things.
#1. I have always been told that gut shot deer will look for water because the cold sooths the burn of the injury. However, does that apply too for deer hit other places?? I guess I'd start in the creek.

#2. If you hit too far forward, I'd expect that you would have either hit a mjor artery and the deer should have been dead in the 3 hours, or else your hit wasn't fatal. Was there lots of fat on the arrow?? It might have just went through the brisket.

#3. If you are in Iowa, I believe the law says you can only "tresspass" without permision to retrieve your game if you can see it laying dead from your side of the fence. So be careful, hopefully the land owner will let you look but don't argue with him if he is a grump.

IaCraig
 
One thing that you could try is to go out after dark and listen for coyotes most time it doesn't take them long to find a fresh kill.

Intruder
 
In addition to coyotes, crows will tell you right where he's laying a lot of times. I don't think that you need to see the deer for tresspass rights, you just have to leave your weapon behind. You should also be able to convince a judge that there was a reasonable probability that your deer crossed onto the other property.

If you call the DNR officer for your county he will definitely know the answer, and I if you are expecting problems with the landowner, the DNR may even come escort you onto the other property.
 
Giani, I agree, crows are a very good way to find a dead critter or a gutpile.

What I just posted about tresspassing is what the Iowa Polk County game warden told us at a bowhunter saftey course this fall. I do not agree with it either, and doubt if very many land owners would refuse you permision to go look. The warden said you have to be able to see it laying there dead from your side of the fence and you have to leave your weapons behind and simply retrieve it. There is no allowance for chasing cripples. If a wounded deer takes refuge on property the landowner refuses you access to, you have no legal rights to look for it and potentially chase it back to where you can finish it off. He said if you call him he will gladly talk to the land owner for you, but if the landowner still says no that is the end of it.

If any game wardens from other counties out there disagree with this, please leave a post and let us all know. I have heard great differences of warden's interpretation's of other game laws, maybe this one is open to interpretation to.

Personally, I'd be tempted to go look for it and plead ignorance if caught.

IaCraig




[This message has been edited by IaCraig (edited 11-16-2001).]
 
You can and should pursue the animal, even if it did cross the fence. You owe it to the animal and to the good name of ethical hunting.

Trespass means entering property without the express permission of the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession, with the intent to commit a public offense, to use, remove therefrom, alter, damage, harass, or place anything animate or inanimate, or to hunt, fish or trap on the property. This paragraph does not prohibit the unarmed pursuit of game or fur-bearing animals lawfully injured or killed which come to rest on or escape to the property of another. The term trespass does not mean entering the right of way of a public road or highway.

[This message has been edited by 150 Class (edited 11-16-2001).]
 
Thank's for all the help.I went out this morning and spent 4 hour's looking with no luck.I did not find anymore blood or any track's.It will take me a long time to get over this one.If I learned anything I geuss it would be to alway's give a deer plenty of time if your unsure of your shot,and DO NOT push a deer that is still moving,I should have backed out again as soon as I heard him going out the other end.I will try to never make this mistake again.
Thank's guy's
 
Do your best and it will be good enough, every trip to the woods should be a learning experience. Not every experience is joyful.

Good tracking skills are not developed on the perfect hits.....Hang in there.
 
Dont let it get to you to much paps. Youve done everything you can and we both know that you are a true outdoorsman and you would do anything for the wildlife. I feel bad about the whole situation myself but youve done all you can and thats all there is to it. We both know there are plenty more big bucks out there and weve got one hell of a spot. Thanx for everything, youve been the best teacher anyone could have and I thank you from the bottom of my deer huntin heart. Youll get another one just wait.

numba1
 
Sorry to hear that happened. Something I have learned in the past is that on a shot like that, the deer will sometimes pattern its travel on the side it was hit. In other words, if it is hit on the left shoulder the deer is favoring its left side and travel to the left. Sounds silly but it has worked for me in the past. As far as tracking and jumping the deer, my brothers hunting party just went through this. Once the deer was jumped they new its tendency to bed down. They should have left it alone, marked the spot and returned 5 to 8hrs. later. they would not have lost the deer. I would look at brushey fence rows, dead fall, anything a deer could hide in quickly. the more helpthe better.
 
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