Big buck lost

[ayr_aca_cs]

Yesterday morning started out as one the great hunting morning of my life. Got to the field late, sat down to get ready, 10 min later big buck broadside, pull the trigger and deer down! That's where it started to go down the crapper! The buck was down for about thirty seconds, got up and tried to run, stumbled and fell again. Was down long enough for me to reload my muzzle loader and then hopped up and took off again. That was the last I saw of him. Thought I would do the right thing and back out for some time, came back to find next to no blood trail. A few spot the size of my little finger. Found a few more spots a few hundred yards away in the woods. Lost the train completely at the edge of the woods where it goes to a large crp field. I have put in more than 10 hours of searching, the creek beds, the thickets, the crp, everything. Not another sign of the deer, didn't jump him or anything. Heart broken,embarrassed, I hate to hit a deer and not get it. I pride my self on not doing this. The only thing I can think of it was a very high shoulder hit, the deer was running on three legs and stumbling. I thought the shot was around 125 yds, it was more like 105 yds. I have learned my lesson, just purchased my first rangefinder from cabelas, won't be guessing ever again! I know its a shame, please to get on me too much

 

[deeraddict]

That sucks. Been there done that. No one likes it but it does happen. Hope you find some thing to end the story for you, either a dead buck or see him walking around later.

 

[moosehunter]

A range finder never hurts but the difference between 105 and 125 with a ML would make no difference. A high hit sounds right but I bet that deer is dead. That's probably why there was little blood. A large CRP field with tall grass is a challenge but my money says thats where he's at. I'd start a grid search.

 

[ayr_aca_cs]

Well I kind or tried the grid search but I was the only one, seems that everyone had things going on this weekend and couldn't get any help. I was a huge area for one guy to try and cover, obviously I didn't get the job done on my own.

 

[Liv4Rut]

If it was a high shoulder hit he wouldn't of got back up. It would of broke his back and it would have been done. The best spot to hit a deer is high in the shoulders with a gun. I bet you hit him low about where the leg meets the body and took out his leg and maybe caught the brisket. He may not be dead but he is definitely hurting. Goodluck!!

 

[Shredder]

My guess is a shot over the spine way high on the shoulder. Would be enough shock to "knock out" the spine for a short time, recover, and run off. The other opinions listed could be right on as well but this one also fits. Good thing is, he could survive this one if infection is down to a bear minimum.

 

[dedgeez]

My guess is a shot over the spine way high on the shoulder. Would be enough shock to "knock out" the spine for a short time, recover, and run off. The other opinions listed could be right on as well but this one also fits. Good thing is, he could survive this one if infection is down to a bear minimum.

I absolutely agree with the high hit, with that said I was video tapeing a friend last muzzleloader season that grazed the top of a deers back and dropped it in its tracks for about 30 seconds, then it got up and ran off about 150 yds, he shot it again and killed it. When we got to the deer it had a gash across its back that definately wasnt lethal. I dont know why that shot stuns them so bad but I would have to say that your deer is probably fine, but it never hurts to keep looking, good luck!

 

[Dbl.throat_patch]

I absolutely agree with the high hit, with that said I was video tapeing a friend last muzzleloader season that grazed the top of a deers back and dropped it in its tracks for about 30 seconds, then it got up and ran off about 150 yds, he shot it again and killed it. When we got to the deer it had a gash across its back that definately wasnt lethal. I dont know why that shot stuns them so bad but I would have to say that your deer is probably fine, but it never hurts to keep looking, good luck!

I couldn't agree more with these two statements. I think it's a dorsal vertibra hit. It shocks them enough to drop them in their tracks but, they shortly recover. IMO the buck will be fine.

 

[blake]

If he is dead the crows and coyores will let you know. Spend some time watching that CRP field from a distance. See if the birds and vatmints show up.

Good Luck!

 

[tlambert]

I couldn't agree more with these two statements. I think it's a dorsal vertibra hit. It shocks them enough to drop them in their tracks but, they shortly recover. IMO the buck will be fine.

Did this about 10yrs ago with a ML. Same thing, never got the deer and he never bled much.