[utfireman]

While deer hunting this past week, I took a shot at a great buck and I swore that I hit him, but I never found any blood or a deer. But I can't help but shake that last shot out of my mind. It sounded like and felt like I hit him. I did go back up to the area and search but I didn't find anything. I plan on going back up for one last trip to see if I fcan find him. Question to you is this, if you found him would you try to claim him? If I do find him I will contact the CO and let him know what the situation was. And hopefully be able to keep him. But has anyone every ran into this situation before? IF so what was the outcome of it?

 

[Finnegan]

I've had that happen. The bullet hit too far back and a little high. Not a drop of blood anywhere. I couldn't sleep that night thinking about it and went back the next morning. Thanks to the ravens, I found him a good 100 yards and uphill from where I shot him. I've learned since that a hit in that area will open the lungs without damaging other vitals. As a result, pressurized air fills the chest and closes the wound from the inside. A deer can move a long way on just a couple breaths.

If you find him, tag him. It's been cool. You'll lose whatever has been in contact with the ground, but I think a good portion of the meat will still be okay, especially the upside hind quarter and backstraps.

 

[elk22hunter]

My daughters buckie that she shot this year had NO blood. I went back to the place of contact and I could see where the tracks went crazy. I followed his tracks all the way to where he lay and that was about 70 to 100 yards. Never did I see any sign of him being hit other than he laid there dead. That was the first blood from a double lung shot.

My first buckie was shot when I was 16 and I shot it right before dark. It rolled down the hill for a quick moment and then up and running. I shot one more time as it went into the trees. I couldn't find it. The next morning, my dad woke me up at 6:00 am and said "You wan't to go look for that deer?" I was elated and nearly jumped out of bed. We didn't take a gun but walked around aimlessly looking for a needle in a hay stack. We had given up and were walking out, when my dad caught a glimps of deer in the oakbrush. Heck ya. My first buckie ever and we tagged him and brought him out. It would take a real putz of an officer to give some one grief about that.

 

[utfireman]

What I meant to say is while hunting last week. So this was during the rifle hunt. I doubt the meat would be any good after being up there a week. But since the season is closed could I tag him or should I even try to? Again I said I would first contact the CO and see what he had to say about it. But I was just wondering if someone else had this happen in the past.

It makes sick to think I might have wonded/killed or lost a great buck. I would feel much better, if I was able to see him again on the hoof. I guess that is why I am going to hit that area alittle during the rut just so that I can have some peace.

 

[ridgetops]

I've asked a C.O. that same question and he said, You CAN NOT tag it after the season is over and the meat has spoiled.