Retrieval advice

[suburbboy]

Hi everyone,

I was out hunting today, shot a blacktail spiker from under 100 yards, I saw the bullet make impact towards the rear of the buck and saw the buck wince. After a moment, it walked away from where it was, stopped, and then slowly made its way into some super thick stuff (crossing a road to get there). I was sure I just needed to give it some time, and so didn't fire a second shot (cursing myself for this now). I waited for a short period of time (maybe 20 minutes) then I went to the place it was shot, walked all along the road, and into every deer trail entry-point in the section (I was watching the area the buck went into the forest). Didn't see any blood at all, in fact, I hardly saw tracks. Spent almost 4 hours trying to find this buck with no luck.

I'm super bummed out. I'm hoping the buck will live on, but not knowing is really killing me.

What am I doing wrong, what can I do about the situation at this point, and what do I need to do to have this never happen again?

[Ron.C]

It happens. Best thing you can you if you think the shot is questionable is back off and give it lots of time, I mean hours. Poorly hit game will often lie down pretty quick and stay there if they are not pushed.


Yes, I've been there and learned this the hard way too. Keep your chin up

[boxhitch]

To have this never happen again? Only one answer and its not good

You tried, gave a good follow up, and were not lucky enough to seal the deal, $#it happens

But take the good and bad points and build on it for next time.

Not all wounds leave a blood trail, so shot placement is crucial to a good kill.
Tracking is a learned skill most hunters don't get the time to practice

[Salty]

Sleep on it and give it one more try tomorrow. Mark where you shot from, where the buck was go from there. Use a grid pattern and look hard for any hint of blood. Odds are low maybe but you'll feel better for trying everything you could and not finding any blood. By what you describe you may have missed you'll learn more tomorrow.

[HarryToolips]

Sleep on it and give it one more try tomorrow. Mark where you shot from, where the buck was go from there. Use a grid pattern and look hard for any hint of blood. Odds are low maybe but you'll feel better for trying everything you could and not finding any blood. By what you describe you may have missed you'll learn more tomorrow.

X2....you may not find blood either, you may find the animal, some die with little blood showing...they may also double back - I once trailed a buck who ran along a trail, I finally found blood, but he/the blood stopped eventually on the trail, went back, and went on a new trail, where I eventually found him piled up..

[emerson]

Been there myself. Sucks, but none of us are perfect. You could go back and check for ravens. I shoot again if I have a chance for a second shot.

[moosinaround]

Yup, hunt long enough it happens! Look for as long as you can, to try and find the critter. You may not have done as much damage as you think. I blasted a buck one time across his brisket. Found hair, and looked like a pretty solid hit, never retrieved! Lived that shot over and over, but it happens! Moosin

[Gateholio]

Don’t be scared of taking a follow up shot.

[dana]

If you hunt long enough, it will happen to you. Hunt even longer and it will happen again. Hard not to beat yourself up over it but it is what it is. I have found going in circles in ever widening archs from the last known sight point can find an animal that you can't find much blood on. Instead of looking for blood, pan the forest for the dead animal. That being said, some animals are just damn tuff. I once shot a buck at under 40 yards. Entered front of chest and took out opposite shoulder. Tracked him for several hours with good blood to start with and then barely a drop every few hundred metres. Had to give up due to darkness. Went back at first light to find a whole mess of tracks where the buck chased does and bred all night long. Hunted long and hard for. Lost plenty of sleep. Finally turned him up the last day of the season 3 1/2 weeks later when I finally was able kill him,

[mod7rem]

Welcome to the realities of hunting. It happens to everyone and it sucks. I agree to go back again and try to piece it all together when you’re not amped up and feeling pressure. Take your time and do your best. If there are any fence lines or ditches or logs that he may have needed to jump, that is a good place to find blood and possibly pick up a trail.
It has happened to me a few times over the years, and because of it, I always take follow up shots if given the time even if I believe the first was a show stopper.
Good luck.