I lost my first deer with a bow.

[m@w]

I went out last night to take advantage of extended archery season. I busted a 4 pt at 5:46, but now I have nothing to prove it. I got him quartering away, he dropped to the ground on impact but got up and took off. There was a good bit of blood and goo on my arrow. Went back out this am and searched for most of the day. But due to the rain last night no blood, we followed the foot tracks and all surrounding area but came up empty. No where else we can go that isn't trespassing. This was my first deer with a bow and 3 years in the making. I am upset that I injured/ killed this creature and now it's wasted, that is the last thing I want. This is the first run off/ loss I have had and it doesn't feel good at all.

 

[rtross]

Don't feel bad. You did the right thing. Your actions honor that deer and show the rest of us what type of a man you are.

 

[Bypass]

You are not the only one that has happened to. I was once an avid bow hunter and in 1996 I placed 3rd in 3d archery in the state. I can hit what I am aiming at but I only hunt with firearms now after watching one walk away with a arrow sticking through it never to be found. I searched all night and most of the following day. It made me sick enough that I said F this I will never do it again. Every deer I have ever shot with a rifle hasn't made it more than 15 yards.

 

[BackWoods]

If you haven't lost a deer, you haven't hunted long enough....sorry for the loss.

 

[NOT]

just fyi, Ga law allows you to cross property lines to pursuegame.

 

[Trout Slayer]

Sorry man. Hopefully you may see some buzzards circling or something.

I agree that you did the right thing and unfortunately it didn't turn out. Keep your head up. This happens to gun hunters too. I tracked a deer with a professional tracking dog for 4 miles this year that my friend had shot with a 30-06. Tough to lose any of them.

 

[YOUNG GUNS]

I'm sure he will be an easy meal for nature.

 

[cjrjck]

It happens. With bow and gun. Weird things go on when broadhead or bullet hit hide and bone. Some things are hard to explain. Early in my archery career I preferred hunting in the morning just in case a shot animal did not go down immediately. It gave me more confidence to know I would be able to track and find it before dark.