wvbowhntr

Today after I got out of classes I drove home to head into the woods for the evening. My friend from college came along and we started out about 1:30 or so. It was windy and I was showing him where to hunt for the evening, so after that I continued walking to my stand. About 100 yards from where I left my friend I see two deer feeding on an oak flat about 75 yards away. Again, it was windy and they were feeding away from me so I slowy started stalking them trying to close the distance. I get within about 40 yards of them with no clear shot when I see that one of them is a nice 8 point or so. I position myself next to a tree and he turns and starts walking at asteady pace in my direction. He finally stops and walks behind a small group of trees so I come to full draw waiting for him to step out. Well, he does but he's still facing me and walking right at me, about 20 yards away. So i'm standing there at full draw watching him close the distance through my peep. I didn't want to take a head on shot because I wanted to wait for him to turn...but he kept walking. He had his head down so I had no shot at first, but then he finally lifted and stopped a mere 15 yards away. He still didn't have a clue I was there and looked my direction several times. So, afraid that he would continue walking RIGHT to me and not turning, I was afraid I would lose any chance I had with him if he got too close and spooked. So I hesitantly put the pins on his chest and let it fly...the arrow hit just to the inside of his left shoulder and he turned and ran away with the arrow sticking out of him. He ran about 80 yards or so and stopped for a few seconds, and then continued running. I didn't find any blood right where I shot him so I decided to leave and not push him and goback in the morning to look for him.Icouldn't tell exactly how much penetration the arrowhad but it didn't look like a lot. Again, I didn't want to take a shot like that but I didn't think I had much of an option, maybe that was my mistake. What do you guys think? Could I have did anything better and do you think that was a fatal wound?

iowabob85

THERE ARE ALWAYS OPTIONS. YOU PROBABLY SHOULDA WAITED IMO

Greg / MO

Yep. Not pulled the trigger.

Yep, you did. You didn't have to pull the trigger.

Now, since you did pull the trigger, I hope you've given it more of an effort in looking for him than your story implies. You owe it to him to search to high heaven now that you've released that arrow. Do I think it was a fatal hit? Yes, but you're gonna have crap for a blood trail.

wvbowhntr

Well I thought that, but I honestly believe he was going to walk right up to me, but I guess you never know. I've had so many 8 points in that area within 10-15 yards of me on the ground and i've always been patient waiting for the right shot, and it always seems something happens when I do that.

wvbowhntr

Well if you read the post. I backed out so that I didn't push him. I'm going back in tomorrow at 10:30 in the morning to look for him, so don't think i'm not going to look. I didn't want to scare him and risk losing him.

Dubbya

I'm sure it was a fatal wound. You did do the right thing by leaving for sure. I would definitely consider either passing on that shot next time. I know how exciting it can be in the heat of the moment, but sometimes the safer play is to not shoot. I'm not dogging you for the shot selection as most of us have taken and unethical shot. Good luck in the morning and let us know how it turns out.

Double Creek

The situation or size of the deer should never dictate the shot....... With that said, you may be in for a tough trail. I've shot 2 deer in the exact same spot with a RIFLE and they both ran a LONG ways and left very little blood....... Odd are you hit vitals and he will die.....

Good luck

BuckBox Displays

All I can say is good luck! I'm not going to say it was a bad shot because you did what you had to do, but I really hope you find that deer for your sake and the deer's sake.

wvbowhntr

Well agian, I never take shots like that but in the heat of the moment as you said. I just honestly thought he would continue right to me and walk up to me or wind me, and then not see him the rest of the season. Again, not an excuse for a bad shot though.

wvbowhntr

I agree. I'll be in the woods as long as it takes.