Sick to my stomache

[jp77]

So momma and I hunted this morning and had the usual tree rat experience and that all. I checked cameras and found his guy....

I came back tonight and hunted....he showed up!! I made a shot at 22yards quartering too. The arrow buried up to the fletching. He bucked and rolled kicking as he ran off. I found the arrow 40 yards in and it was covered in blood to the fletching. No blood for 10 yards after that, and that was all the blood found.
This is his pic right before the shot...

I am sick, we backed out and called a dog for tomorrow. I am lost, first deer with my bow and I know the shot was good, just don't know why I can't find him.
I will advise in the morning after I resume the search.

[murph62]

Where did your arrow hit?
Also good luck in the morning

[Old Blue]

Good luck in the morning

[TimH]

Sounds like you made a good shot. I'm sure y'all will find him in the morning.

[Etxbuckman]

Good luck finding your deer. We've all been there and, yes, it does suck.

[jp77]

Arrow hit just behind shoulder at top of crease and buried to the fletching, no exit hole. Sounded like a boat paddle smacking the water when it hit him too.
Thank you for the wishes, I am sick right now leaving him. He is my biggest to date and first with a bow!!

[tfrye]

I look forward to seeing the pictures tomorrow! I'm sure that dog will get you on the right track.

[jp77]

I hope so!!! It's gonna be a sleepless night for sure.

[wheels]

He will be dead in the AM

[Burnadell]

Been there myself. Happened to me in Kansas a few years ago. I hit him a little high, and the arrow hung up. Blood trail ran out; looked for another day and had to come back. My buddies found him 3/4 mile away the following July.

My guess is the hole was high, and without an exit hole, the blood pooled inside. I'll bet the dog finds him, and we will be celebrating your kill tomorrow night!

[spread5150]

Dont give him to much credit. I have found my search patterns get to big. I end up finding deer closer than I give them credit for making it. Sometimes they double back ... Good Luck. Post a pic in the morning

[jp77]

Thank you all for the positive words. I keep replaying the shot in my min and no matter how I try to discredit the shot placement I can't, I know it was a solid hit. I pray I find him tomorrow, I hate killing an animal and not making a successful recovery. I will update with pics tomorrow if possible.....

[jp77]

I feel like I heard him crash at around 100yds. I covered 300 tonight over three hours with three guys. I pray we walked past him.....the cutover has been growing for three years now and you pretty much need a match to get through it!!!

[murph62]

That dog will find him. Sounds like you definitely killed him. Welcome to bowhunting it's the ultimate emotional roller coaster ride!! We've all been there. Stay positive brother!

[Dirtymike]

Pretty sure the dog will find him. I searched for hours for deer. Looking far and wide. Only to find buzzards right in the area close. Owning a dog and bow hunting go hand in hand. It's actually a confidence builder too. For me at least. I hit a doe early on in bow hunting and never found her. Makes you feel sick. And makes you hesitant to touch off that arrow the next time. Having a dog with a decent nose is awesome. You get two hunts, yours and your dogs. you will find him in the AM