Shot Buck with 223 Mule Kick But No Blood

[jrfan]

My grandson shot at a buck tonight with a 223 and the deer jumped. And then mule kicked it's hind legs. I could not find blood so I backed out. Does it sound like a good hit with the limited info I have given you?

[Draco]

Almost forsure it was a hit, maybe a heart shot.

[Christianhuff]

Have killed 4 deer with my ar. Found very little blood but all were heart shot and none went more than 30yards.

[chrisgunguy]

I've had it happen as well with my son. Twice. One went about 30yds, and the other 50ish. No blood either time. He is there. Go get him.

[coolhand]

Most probably hit him too far back. My niece had a buck do that a couple of weeks ago. The deer was angled a little toward. The shot hit behind the shoulder but angled back into the flank area. He kicked high like a mule and ran off. We found him about 100 yds. away. Personally, I've never seen a deer do that unless he was hit back. Good luck, hope you find him.

[Old Bald Guy]

You guys need to start using good bullets-as in bullets designed for deer/hogs-instead of fragile varmint bullets and you'll start getting a blood trail. Mule kick sounds like he was hit far back.

[DFWPI]

Shot Buck with 223 Mule Kick But No Blood

You guys need to start using good bullets-as in bullets designed for deer/hogs-instead of fragile varmint bullets and you'll start getting a blood trail. Mule kick sounds like he was hit far back.

What bullet was used, as I didn't see where it was mentioned?

I've seen where some good bullets have been used in the past, but no blood trail.

[Christianhuff]

good bullets

You guys need to start using good bullets-as in bullets designed for deer/hogs-instead of fragile varmint bullets and you'll start getting a blood trail. Mule kick sounds like he was hit far back.

I shoot 75 grain hollow point bitter root valley and they perform flawlessly. Its a small round and doesn't produce a great blood trail, but I've never had a deer or a pig carry it further than 25-30 yards without dropping stone cold dead.

[thaTuna]

Look for it in the morning, he's dead. Look to the opposite side of the shot within a hundred yards, just start making grids. They usually run in that half crazy circles cause the other legs is smashed, good luck.

[88 Bound]

You guys need to start using good bullets-as in bullets designed for deer/hogs-instead of fragile varmint bullets and you'll start getting a blood trail. Mule kick sounds like he was hit far back.

^ bullet type wasn't mentioned sir. Also, you are most likely not getting a decent blood trail (if you get any at all) with a small caliber. Tiny entry hole with no exit majority of the time. The plus is that they never go far.

OP, don't give up! There's a white belly nearby.

[segbert]

I've shot a few deer with my 22-250 in the heart. And they do the same thing. I never get blood because the bullet goes in, and explodes with no exit. With the smaller calibers I always shoot for the neck to help prevent that

[Kevin]

A 223 just doesn't always do a lot of damage. I would go out and look for the deer. I've rarely seen deer shot with a 223 that left a good trail (I don't care what bullet you use).

[Casey]

Had the same thing happen a few weeks ago with my daughter and it was a 243. We found the buck well under 100 yards away with no sign leading to him. She took the top of the heart out. He kicked and bolted and left no blood trail, but was hammer dead in a few dozen yards.

[Artos]

This is why u ALWAYS WANT exit wound regardless of gun/caliber....specialized bullet companies mfg them for all calibers they possiblibly can. Please use them!!

The grenade / leave all energy inside the critter is bad mojo!! You NEED an exit wound on all big game animals!!

[Casey]

This is why u ALWAYS WANT exit wound regardless of gun/caliber....specialized bullet companies mfg them for all calibers they possiblibly can. Please use them!!

The grenade / leave all energy inside the critter is bad mojo!! You NEED an exit wound on all big game animals!!

Paul, we had good entrance, smashed ribs and exit...still no blood. Dirt kicked up beyond the deer from the bullet. Chest cavity was completely full of blood, though.