Which direction will a deer normally run after the shot?

[125Dad]

Over thinking something will kill me one day, I am sure of it. Combination of engineer, nerd, geek and severe ADD all in one mind is a dangerous thing.

If this Is the case you will probaly not shot due to over thinking, planing ,glasses fogging ,and not sitting still.

[Encinal]

If you use aluminum shafts they run perpendicular to magnetic north on a broadside shot.

If you use carbon shafts... it's random.

[JonBoy]

I would love to say random, but more than half of the deer I've shot have run out the way they came in...

[Switchbackstrap]

Usually they will run towards water.But this year they will go to where water once was.

[super_dave]

I've always heard they will turn in to the injury when running away.


Shank 'em!

[Outlaw442]

Shoot the spine then they wont run anywhere

I have wondered about this. Is it best to be elevated to do this? Will a shot from ground blind into spine be just as effective? Spine in back or spine in neck (head down eating) preferable or doesn't matter?

[trailboss]

To the bottom of the deepest, steepest canyon on the place. And they gain about 40 pounds for every 10 feet of elevation!

Trailboss

[tex_n]

Don't "try" for the spine. It sucks when you spine them and they try to run away with only their front legs working. Then they have to watch you make a kill shot. I've had 2 spine shots and neither were fatal shots. It sucks! Go for lungs/clean kills.

[dragonsdaddy]

Whichever way they want!

But..... I've noticed over the years that most deer hit hard/smoked, tend to run random directions (short recovery). Deer that are hit uh........ less than perfect, tend to turn/circle back in the direction they came from(long recovery as they have time to head to a bed and lie down).

And.... I've always heard that they tend not to go "uphill" but I've seen that theory proven wrong numerous times.

So............ I don't know. lol.

Good luck on a short recovery!

+100. wounded deer don't follow/read/remember any rules.

[Randy]

Towards water

[Coach W]

Heres What I have seen from experience:
It occurs in 3 stages:

Initial shock: For the first 50-100 yards they run over,through, and under anything they want. (Kinda freaked out they were just setting around eating then you put two holes in em). Blood trail in this is minimal becaue the animal is moving pretty quick so its dipersed over a larger area, kicking up dirt on the blood that does fall and less blood per yard is coming out because hes moving quicker.

Slowing Down: Then after the initial surge they start to take the path of least resistance. They begin to get weak and will stay out of things that grab them. They will follow trails and stay out of thick brush. Blood trail will get better, and will even be big pools where the animal stood, or set trying to figure out its next move, towards the end the blood will decrease because of lack there of.

Death Time: they wander a bit for 10-20 yards once again in any direction their bloodless brain tells em to. to finally Die. blood trail is dimished again at this point because of lack of blood to fall, pay special attention to any weird tracks the wounded animal might be making.

I use this method of blood tracking on any and all animals I shoot with the bow. It leads me to them everytime. (Just think what you would do if you got shot.... the blood trail leads to a thicket, your losing blood and slowing down, you will go around that thicket.

So if your shooting on the edge of a place... they usually take off in the direction they are standing, but in the initial shock phase they can turn and run in 90 degree angles. Hope this helps more hunters track game this year. (get on your hands and knees and locate blood to blood if you have to). the end result is worth it!

[t_rich69]

Left they always go left!

[Landrover]

flip a coin!!

[PSD Ryan]

Downhill and to wherever will be hardest to drag them out

[txdukklr]

I'm going to say random and away . . . . . . .

but thinking back to most of the deer i shot they run back the way they came. I think they associate it with safe or it's their normal route.