I've killed my fair share of deer over the years, and never lost one. That streak ended last night.
I had 3 does step into clearing in front of me with about 20 minutes of daylight left. I ranged the biggest one at 32 yards and let my arrow fly. The arrow seemed to come out a little funny, and I hit her a little high and back. That's the first time I shot an arrow with a lumenok on it, and instead of focusing on where the deer was hit, I was somewhat mesmorized by the lighted nock.
The 3 deer bolted. I knew I hadn't made the greatest shot, but it did look good enough for a kill shot. When I got to my arrow, the shaft had blood about 8 inches up. I started looking for blood on the ground and couldn't find a thing.
My buddy met up with me and we started an intensive search. We did a grid search looking for blood until after 10pm. We did not find a single drop of blood! I couldn't understand how I had 8 inches of penetration with no blood on the ground.
Leaving the woods last night without that deer was one of the most dissapointing experiences I've ever had. I would have much rather missed, or just not taken the shot than to leave an animal wounded. I keep replaying the shot over and over and second guessing if I should have even taken it. But, I keep coming to the conclusion that a perfect broadside shot at 32 yards should be taken unless there is a gusting wind, bad weather etc.
I am just sick over this. I barely slept at all last night and wasn't worth a damn at work today. At this point I don't even want to get back in the stand.
I had 3 does step into clearing in front of me with about 20 minutes of daylight left. I ranged the biggest one at 32 yards and let my arrow fly. The arrow seemed to come out a little funny, and I hit her a little high and back. That's the first time I shot an arrow with a lumenok on it, and instead of focusing on where the deer was hit, I was somewhat mesmorized by the lighted nock.
The 3 deer bolted. I knew I hadn't made the greatest shot, but it did look good enough for a kill shot. When I got to my arrow, the shaft had blood about 8 inches up. I started looking for blood on the ground and couldn't find a thing.
My buddy met up with me and we started an intensive search. We did a grid search looking for blood until after 10pm. We did not find a single drop of blood! I couldn't understand how I had 8 inches of penetration with no blood on the ground.
Leaving the woods last night without that deer was one of the most dissapointing experiences I've ever had. I would have much rather missed, or just not taken the shot than to leave an animal wounded. I keep replaying the shot over and over and second guessing if I should have even taken it. But, I keep coming to the conclusion that a perfect broadside shot at 32 yards should be taken unless there is a gusting wind, bad weather etc.
I am just sick over this. I barely slept at all last night and wasn't worth a damn at work today. At this point I don't even want to get back in the stand.