Hard pill to swallow
Kansas
Contributors to this thread:
Been a long time since I shot a buck I was unable to recover (did loose a doe last year shooting on a windy day). On November 11th everything came together as planned. I have been watching this deer for 3 years, I had a number of opportunities to shoot him last year and the year before. It is true (imo) That as an archery hunter the time will come where this will happen, sure doesn’t make it any easier... the pic with his head down was taken a few seconds before the shot, the other pic is from October 27th. Note the size of the hedge ball at his feet and the mass of his antlers, absolute GIANT...He’s out there somewhere in a vast 80 acres of CRP. I WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR HIM and arrangements are set to be part of the spring “burning party”. I believe I have a great chance of recovering his remains, but it just won’t be the same as sitting next to him in his full glory.
Yep, hate to lose any deer, but it will happen. It never gets any easier no matter how long you hunt. It always sucks. Maybe check to see if anybody close that has a tracking dog?
crestedbutte's Link
Link to KS Deer Recovery Facebook page. They are busy folks this time of year. However, if you shot it 14 days ago….the dog may still be able to lead you to what’s left of the carcass. Good Luck and Keep’on A Hunt’in!
Where are you? I have a hound, and there are dozens of trackers all over the state. Hit bucks often can go miles, and the sooner you get a hound on it, the more likely you will find it.
Been there and it does suck! If you think it is in the grass, I am sure you watched for crows? Also, it is supposed to be warmer some this week, your own nose might be able to find him.
FYI, the buck I shot last weekend died within 50-60 yards of my stand but because of the steep grade I could not see him. Within 10 minutes I knew he was dead as 4 crows started landing on trees close by and took turns dive bombing to the ground. Didn’t need to wait the normal 30 minutes, so maybe see if there is any bird action. Good luck!
If the CRP has been properly cared for (meaning not much brush), and you have permission to do so.... Have a buddy slowly drive a UTV and have someone (YOU) stand up in back. The person in back can give directions or use an app to keep you on track. OnX works pretty well for tracking.
Like others said... Birds, nose, and don’t overlook water.
Lost a buck last year just by leaving it overnight. Shot at roughly 3:30 PM and was there at daybreak. Never seen anything like it, but you couldn’t get a pound of meat off that carcass the next day. Coyotes cleaned it so well, I’m not sure you’d have been able to smell it even a few days. Maybe the hide.
Frank, about 10 years ago I shot a doe on Dec. 31st. She ran through CRP, one of the hardest things to track in, in my opinion, we kind of had a general idea of the direction she went in and once I stepped in the timber I saw a opossum walking away from us about 40 yards away. Walked over there and sure enough she was lying there and that thing had already started working on her. The tracking ability of wildlife is pretty amazing. She hadn’t been dead an hour. Never forget that evening, good friends, my wife and myself ended up enjoying New Years out in the woods.
Been there. It’s hard. Good luck
Sorry to hear of this, it sucks. We’ve all been there. Know anyone with a drone camera? Have them fly it and see if they can spot it.
Dale….might be legal in MN but not in KS….not yet anyway. Keep’on A Hunt’in! -CB-
This guy seems like he just wants to vent, seeing how he has not responded since he posted and he's already made plans to look for it next spring.
Not “ignoring the suggestions” just haven’t had much time the last few days to get on the site. The landowners brother-in-law and I used the side by side the day after (11/12). As suggested I had rode in the back standing up. Followed the creeks and checked the ponds. Looked again this afternoon on some higher elevation cedar thickets along the edge of the property (all though I don’t recall ever knowing a deer to travel up steep inclines when hit). Appreciate the offer of help with a tracker, however, my deer is not the overall most important thing when it comes to the arrangements of hunting this ground. Landowners close friend rifle hunts and I don’t feel it is right to totally “dismantle and disrupt” the property and have those individuals suffer with a poor season because of my poor execution of a shot. I hope it isn’t perceived as “the guy doesn’t follow-up / doesn’t care” because I assure you that couldn’t be further from the truth. To tell it like it is, I have a number of really nice deer showing on camera now. I struggle with the thought of hunting another one as I’d like to find the one I shot and most certainly killed and would like nothing more than to attach my tag to it. By “law” I could just “let it go” and get back after it. Am I still going to sit in the stand the last few days before rifle season? You bet!! Will I draw back on another buck if given the opportunity? I’ll have to answer that if the time comes. One thing that’s guaranteed...I will enjoy every moment of every sit. Thank you all for the input. It is greatly appreciated.
Thornton...waiting for just such a response. There is a difference between 20 days before rifle season and 3/4 days. Additionally, IMO the deer are far less wary of an ATV moving through the farm (they use it often for certain chores) vs a dog and human scent being spread through the entire area. My point is....I have 400 acres where I am the sole archery hunter, I’m allowed to do whatever habitat work I select to do, and IMO this is/will remain intact as long as I am considerate and work with the landowner to continue to improve the hunting conditions as well as the properties value. The owner has been offered 10’s of thousands of dollars for leasing rights, my daughter and I had spent numerous years enjoying this land, he allows me to continue to spend my healing time because he is a great person with a great family. RESPECT and this relationship is far more valuable than any deer (my value).
Is this where you think you hit him?
You won't disrupt a property with a hound when you've been driving all over it in an ATV.
Here...slight quartered away. Pretty certain liver/diaphragm.
And his left leg was forward....
Slick Trick (4 blade). I’m shooting COC as I’m starting to have shoulder issues and had to turn the bow down to 47#. Before this year I’ve always had the bow maxed out at 62#. I’m shooting a Diamond Razor Edge (my deceased daughters pink camo bow). This is the arrow, I stayed up in the tree 7 hours after the shot before getting down and retrieving it. With the point of impact I knew plenty of time was best. No odor to the arrow...arrow had kicked forward a hair during pass through as the fletching was slightly right with the deer reacting by going left. Arrow was throughly penetrated into the ground.
What Broadhead 2 blade, three blade, four blade?
I’m all but certain something moved into and plugged the exit wound causing the blood trail to stop.