Chrud Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Tonight will be a sleepless night. I finally got a chance to hunt my Waterhole Stand this afternoon. My brother has been seeing a lot of bucks cruising and I saw one this morning while moving my groundblind, things looked pretty good. Not a whole lot of activity until about 4:30 PM when I heard a deer walking along the logging road. I saw it had a pretty big body and when it got to 30 yards, I knew it was a shooter buck. I'm not positive as to how big it is, I didn't concentrate on the rack. It looked like it had five points on one side and maybe three or four on the other. It wasn't tall, but it was pretty wide. He was coming for the waterhole, which is about 15 yards. I drew back and he quickly turned and was looking directly at me. I let back down while he was taking a drink from the waterhole. He backed up a bit and was quartering towards me. I know, most people wouldn't take that shot, but I'm very confident in my shooting ability. And with a buck this size just 15 yards away and getting ready to leave, I figured it's now or never. I screwed up. That is all I can say. If I were to have one excuse, it would be that I misjudge the angle that he was facing me. But, I screwed up. I hit him too far back. He didn't look too hurt. I trotted up the hill, stopped and then I lost sight. I heard footsteps beyond the hill, where I last saw him and then they just stopped. I made the decision that there was no way I wanted to track him tonight. I made a terrible shot, I don't know what happened, just choked I guess. I wasn't nervous, I just made a bad shot I guess. There is a chance I could have got his liver, but where the arrow was on the exit, I don't know. The first thing that ran through my mind when they arrow hit was "oh crap!" I screwed up. If there is any sliver lining to this cloud it is that he wasn't spooked at all. He looked at me a bit, and was never spooked before the shot or after he was hit. He didn't seem in any big hurry to go anywhere. I just pray I got the liver. My cousin keeps saying we'll find him, but I don't know. I'll be hoping for the best. Hopefully I'll have a good report tomorrow. Right now, I feel like throwing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Just try and sleep Chrud- I know that sick feeling, and the reason we get "that feeling" is because we care. Get after it tomorrow and see what happens, certainly sounds like it could be a liver shot... let's hope for the best. Good news is you have good weather tonight and know rain threatening, let us know how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatetomiss Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night good luck on finding him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Good Luck Chrud. If he hasn't been pushed, and you caught anything at all vital. He will probably lay down and expire. The fact that he didn't spook is real good. Think positive, and don't give up. Good luck bud, let us know how you make out. I will be thinking a bout you as I'm sitting in my stand in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitteken Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night You may have gotten the liver or maybe even the diaphram. It should slow him down. Deer that I've hit far back like that don't burst out running they kind of hunch up and take their time. Think positive. What kind of blood did you have? Did you find your arrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dg Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night You did the right thing about waiting. If you hit him and he acted like that, I side with your cousin. Let us know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted November 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night [ QUOTE ] What kind of blood did you have? Did you find your arrow? [/ QUOTE ] I wasn't sure how close he could have been when I got down. It was dark and I don't use flashlights. I didn't take time to look for blood. He took off with my arrow, only the fletching was still inside. The exit area didn't look the best, but he was close and was angled fairly well. My brother and cousin are going to hunt in the morning, we're going after him about 10:00. My cousin says we'll find him, so I'll go with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutter Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Good luck chrud. I hope you find him and your story has a good ending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntrman Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night You did the right thing by waiting overnight. Stay confident. Good luck and keep us informed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night You got 2 holes my guess is you got a dead deer in the morning its pretty tough to hit a deer that far back nat get anything lethal dont be surprised if that deer is still bedded in the morning be very caustious looking for that check for that dark blood if you got the liver you are set..... GL man hope you find your trophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Matt....the deer will bed down probably three or four times, however, since the arrow is still in him, it is still cutting...if you bowhunt long enough, this happens...you will find the deer....best of luck bud, and Im keeping fingers crossed, I am confident you will find the deer........al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Any of us who have hunted long enough know what your going through right now. Take it slow and easy tomorrow. You my just find him weak and bedded down not too far away, and you can finish him off..or, you may just get lucky and find him expired. All the best tomorrow bud. I know you'll give it your all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tezz32 Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night i would offer to help track but my truck is mia right now broken cv axle so tomorrow is dedicated to that.....good luck hope you find him!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathews4life Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night I know the feeling. I shot one a couple weeks ago and misjudged the angle. Hit her a far back but i caught the liver. Let her lay for an hr then started tracking. Blood was thin in spots and some spots were just covered. Jumped her once and she ran about 10 yds and piled up and 10 minutes later she was done. I think you have a dead deer on your hands, i'm pretty positive u got it. Just take ur time in the morning be patient and dont give up. I have a feeling you'll be on here tomorrow posting a great recovery story....good luck and dont do like me and leave ur bow on the four wheeler.......u might have to put one more in him. Mathews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Ya know, when I first started the only thing I could kill a deer with was maybe a bad infection from a bad shot. Gradually your confidence goes up and you will rebound from this. Good luck and keep your nose to the ground. This is exactly why I think Illinois should allow tracking dogs to find wounded deer. I got 2 beagles that would love to track a deer's blood trail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night good luck finding him Matt. i agree to back out was the proper thing to do. if you caught liver at all he is dead. all deer hit in the liver will die. the go and bed down and if they arent pushed its all over for them. if a worse case senario happens like you gut shot him , well thats a bad shot , but should be a buck recovered. because its the same thing . he will go and bed down and if not pushed he will expire.. it just takes time .. good luck and take your time on the trail ... Shoot Strong Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night First pf all, I hope that you find him. Second, congrats on backing out and letting him lay. Very smart on your part. Last Chrud, we all learn from "our less then perfect shots (angles)". I've been there and have done that and have learn from my "bad shots". Hopefully this has made me the "better hunter in my old age". congrats the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitteken Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night [ QUOTE ] This is exactly why I think Illinois should allow tracking dogs to find wounded deer. I got 2 beagles that would love to track a deer's blood trail. [/ QUOTE ] BowJoe, This year you can use tracking dogs in IL. Check out the DNR website. I know last year I could have used one to track my little bros deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Good luck and let us know what happens! I think most of us know how you feel. Bad shots happen even to the best hunters. We have control of the bow but not over the arrow or the deer. If anything, bad shots are good learning opportunities. I hope you find him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VtBowhunter Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Even if you got the paunch, you'll have yourself a dead deer this morning....and that's all because you did the right thing and just got out of Dodge without pushing him. Get us up to speed, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathews4life Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night I bet they are draggin' it out as we speak!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitteken Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night We need an update... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted November 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night I hit him a whole lot better than I thought. We found him not 75 yards from my stand, he only went about 30 yards from where I saw him last. He was dead last night. What I think might have happened is that he moved when the arrow hit him and made it look worse. It still wasn't a great shot, but got liver. He is what I thought he was. A 3X5, would have been a real nice 5X5, but one side is broken. It's a great first buck bowkill. Heck, my first buck period. My brother Mark is even going to get a shoulder mount for me as a "thank you" for helping with his benefit. I'll have a story and pictures later on tonight. We've got a deer to cape out and some Bud Select to drink! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Ata boy Chrud!Congrats!Sounds like you done everything right.Can't wait to see pics.Hopefully you get them on before that Bud starts taking full effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Going to Be a Sleepless Night Congrats on your first buck Matt. And congrats on making the correct decision to wait. to recover him. First buck, and with a bow. It don't get better than that. Tip back one of those Buds for me buddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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