Couldn't find my First Point buck..

[NCFD-Elms]

Well I was lucky enough to get a shot off on one of those elusive First point bucks, I had a decent 8 come in Thursday evening crunching corn down the road. I drew back before he was visible, stepped out at 15 yards, did a quick size up to insure he was a shooter and WHACK!

Made a clean pass but the shot was 4in further back than I would have liked it.. I knew it was a sub par shot so I gave him time and started the track before it was too dark. After I went about 75-100 yards I figured I should go back to camp and get some help. We were back on the trail 3 hours after the shot and needless to say we never found him after several hundred yards and 2hrs.
Went out the next day for another hour and still nothing.

This was the first deer I've ever lost and iv been sick to my stomach the past two days, I can't get it off my mind and keep wondering what I could have done different. I know it happens but I'd appreciate some words of encouragement right now

[Junebug]

Sorry to hear it. Next time call the dogs.

[bmac]

Bad shots happen every once in a while. Even though it doesn't sound like it was really far back, some deer are tougher than others. Sorry, to hear about loosing the deer, but it sounds like you make a tremendous effort in trying to recover it.

[HeyMikey]

It happens..........
Don't be afraid to get back up on that horse!!

[NCFD-Elms]

Bad shots happen every once in a while. Even though it doesn't sound like it was really far back, some deer are tougher than others. Sorry, to hear about loosing the deer, but it sounds like you make a tremendous effort in trying to recover it.

Thats kind of what I thought but I just don't see how he left such a good blood trail for that long and didn't go down sooner. It's not like he was a 200+ lbs buck..

[Raypo]

Sorry, thats a bad feeling

[z7ex]

Keep looking. Check under every tree, every cut, draw, nearest water. I've really honed my skills at tracking and have found deer others gave up on. I shot an axis quartering away at 20yards. No blood what so ever. I think I walked by him 10 times until daylight came around and saw a horn sticking up through the cedar. The can get in some deep stuff. So stick with it buddy.

[NCFD-Elms]

Keep looking. Check under every tree, every cut, draw, nearest water. I've really honed my skills at tracking and have found deer others gave up on. I shot an axis quartering away at 20yards. No blood what so ever. I think I walked by him 10 times until daylight came around and saw a horn sticking up through the cedar. The can get in some deep stuff. So stick with it buddy.

Man I would have looked for days.. Bo had to come and drag me out of the pasture because he had other hunters needing our room and the pasture. He told me he would keep looking for me.. I hope I get a call

[CTD2011]

What pasture, I am going tomorrow. Maybe I can keep an eye out. You can PM me if you want.

[mason bowhunter]

Sorry to hear about this.

[Hart8]

You do it long enough,and it's bound to happen...
One day,you think you're Robin Hood,next day you look like a fool.
Been there bud,and it sucks.

[DrenalinJunkie]

They don't have dogs? Or access to dogs?