Public Land Prowler
Senior Member
Every year I see it and hear it over and over...Guys couldn't find a deer or hog they shot...Some of them go slip back in the stand a few days later only to flush up buzzards 100yds from their stand...Buzzards that are feeding on the animal they failed to recover.
Now it may just be me,but the way I was raised there is absolutely no excuse for losing an animal less than 100yds from where you shot it.I have some tips to share that will hopefully help some people find the animal after they have shot it.
I know not everyone is blessed with 20/13 vision near and far like me,and I know not everyone is able to see color as well as me either.Color blindness can really hurt you when you are trying to see the difference between reds and browns.If you have that problem.
I have a recovery kit that I use.It consists of about a dozen cayalume sticks(glow sticks),flagging tape,and backup flashilght,and spare batteries.If I were color blind I would try any of the bloodtracker lights,or get a friend that is not color blind to help.I have never tried peroxide,or any of the glow in the dark fluids you spray onto the brush.I've never needed it.
First thing I do when I climb a tree is to look at all my surroundings.I pick out any bush,log,or stump that could possibly make me think it is a deer when the last light is fading out.At the same time I am ranging these items,and any other tree,funny shaped tree,or landmark to see what distance they are from me.This helps alot right at dark when you look around,and notice a blob that wasn't suposed to be there.That alone has helped me get a few deer I may have overlooked.
Now let's imagine we have seen a deer,and are going to try to get the shot.Notice what marker(s)he is near.If you can range him great,but if you already have ranged before hand it is really not necessary.Now that you have him associated with a land mark let's make the shot.First off if you can't get a clean shot due to brush,or a bad angle DON'T SHOOT!You may get another opportunity.Also alot of guys regret shooting nub bucks they thought were does..Again if you aren't sure of the target 100%,and don't have a clean shot,or just don't feel confident..don't shoot! Either way don't chance wounding an animal.
A Standing broadside double lung shot of course is ideal,but if the deer is walking slowly you can simply place the gun in front of him in a shooting lane,and when he walks into the scope,and his shoulder is centered with the crosshairs..SHoot...If you try to keep the crosshairs on the deer as it walks you may never get him to stop for a shot,or could hit him in the stomach as he steps.I also like to notice when his front foot on my side steps down.As soon as it steps down I shoot..Because I know he has 3 other legs to move before that one moves again.
As soon as you shoot(bow or gun),watch to see where the deer runs to.Lay the weapon down as quickly as you can to free up both hands,or atleast use one hand if possible to cup your ear(s) to listen for the deer to crash...Also note any landmark he was last seen at when he ran away.(Off colored tree,larger than normal tree,anything).
Now here comes an important part.Things will look different from the ground.If possible.Stay in the stand until a friend can come.Then direct him to the spot where the deer was,and to where you last saw/heard it if he can't find blood.
If this is not possible,climb down keeping your eyes fixed towards the spot where the animal was.I have thrown my hat in the direction the deer was,I have also let my gun down,and settled it with the barrel pointing towards the spot where the deer was.That way you can be sure of which way to walk.
The next thing to do Is pull out a glow stick and put it out at your tree.I use red to remember that color is for my stand.Now walk towards where the deer was,and find the marker the deer was near when you shot it.When you arrive there put out an orange,blue,or yellow glow stick.Start looking for blood making small circles.
Hopefully you will find some blood.If you do you can put out a glow stick there.Start moving in the direction you heard/saw the deer go,and every 40yds or so put out a green glow stick.I just use green for blood marking.Keep one with you so incase you lose blood you can put it out to keep up with the last blood.These glow sticks are awesome to help you find your way back to your stand,and to also get an idea of what path the animal took as it left.You can look back and see where he came from.
If you have not found any blood start doing small circles,in the direction the deer went.Look for kick marks,broken limbs on little bushes.Look for blood spray on palmetto's,or where a deer may have brushed against a tree.
Assuming you did find some blood.What kind is it?Is it a good hit?Everything looked good,but there is stomach matter on the arrow?Alot of times a hit can be good,and come out with stomach matter just because of the angle.
Is it crimson red,maybe some foamy pink in there?That's what you hope for.Let's go get him..
But these below can throw up a red flag,and you may want to back out for a little while.
Is it dark red with some bubbles?That could very well be 1 lung,and a liver.Only dark red could be liver.
Is it a non-fatal meat hit? It will leave a reddish blood and a poor to fair blood trail that tapers off after a few hundred yards?..My general rule of thumb is UNLESS HE'S POURING BLOOD..if he has gone over 100yds you start losing odds on finding him,over 200yds,getting way slimmer..etc.
Does it smell like stomach matter?Do you find stomach matter?
I have seen deer hit in the neck bleed real good..taper out..then he will blow a puddle out as he clears his airway.Bleed good again,taper out,and then blow a puddle.That deer won't make it.If a deer is blowing out puddles he has blood entering the airway.
Take your time,and look high and low.Blood on one side of brush,and not the other can indicate which side of the brush he was on.Listen for flies to indicate where blood or the deer may be.Let one man look for blood,and the other stand at the last blood.There is no need for everyone to tromple around and possibly step on blood.
So you are following a blood trail,and it disappears?What in the world??And he's been bleeding good...I have seen a few things happen.When the deer gets real low on blood they will make a mad dash and just dive into the brush.They have bled out,and don't have anymore to leave a trail.Generally they will be within 50yds of the last blood.I have also seen deer backtrail 10 to 15yds,and then take off on a new path off of the original one.
Well all else has failed,you lost the blood,and you can't find him..What to do?
1-Walk the trail back,and look to see if he has back trailed.
2-Walk in the direction he last was going and make more small circles.Search brush piles,even small ones.
3-If with a friend make passes 10yds apart,for 40 or 50yds.
Here's some more tips..
If a deer is hit hard he will try to plow through anything to get away.If he isn't hit as hard he will take an easier path.(unless a downhill panic run)
Squirrels can tell on a deer when it comes running in their presence and passes.I found a doe last year that I couldn't find a drop of blood from,after I simply walked over to where the squirrels were chattering like crazy.
Alot of times fatally hit deer will run downhill,or atleast in a straight path.
Deer that have time to think usually turn around to go back where they come from,or will try to make a loop back to where they come from.
Flag up doesn't always mean the deer was missed,but generally a hard hit deer will keep it's tail tucked.
Watch body reaction when you shoot.Did it drop in the back end?(too far back)..Did it buck like a bronco?(possible mid-body hit),was he plowing like a bull dozier?(front legs out of commision)
Don't forget creeks,water holes,brush piles,even a small bushes can hide a deer.I have seen deer in a brush pile with no white visible.Sitting up like they fell asleep like that.
I hope some more will throw in some tips,or experiences of when they didn't give up.
Now it may just be me,but the way I was raised there is absolutely no excuse for losing an animal less than 100yds from where you shot it.I have some tips to share that will hopefully help some people find the animal after they have shot it.
I know not everyone is blessed with 20/13 vision near and far like me,and I know not everyone is able to see color as well as me either.Color blindness can really hurt you when you are trying to see the difference between reds and browns.If you have that problem.
I have a recovery kit that I use.It consists of about a dozen cayalume sticks(glow sticks),flagging tape,and backup flashilght,and spare batteries.If I were color blind I would try any of the bloodtracker lights,or get a friend that is not color blind to help.I have never tried peroxide,or any of the glow in the dark fluids you spray onto the brush.I've never needed it.
First thing I do when I climb a tree is to look at all my surroundings.I pick out any bush,log,or stump that could possibly make me think it is a deer when the last light is fading out.At the same time I am ranging these items,and any other tree,funny shaped tree,or landmark to see what distance they are from me.This helps alot right at dark when you look around,and notice a blob that wasn't suposed to be there.That alone has helped me get a few deer I may have overlooked.
Now let's imagine we have seen a deer,and are going to try to get the shot.Notice what marker(s)he is near.If you can range him great,but if you already have ranged before hand it is really not necessary.Now that you have him associated with a land mark let's make the shot.First off if you can't get a clean shot due to brush,or a bad angle DON'T SHOOT!You may get another opportunity.Also alot of guys regret shooting nub bucks they thought were does..Again if you aren't sure of the target 100%,and don't have a clean shot,or just don't feel confident..don't shoot! Either way don't chance wounding an animal.
A Standing broadside double lung shot of course is ideal,but if the deer is walking slowly you can simply place the gun in front of him in a shooting lane,and when he walks into the scope,and his shoulder is centered with the crosshairs..SHoot...If you try to keep the crosshairs on the deer as it walks you may never get him to stop for a shot,or could hit him in the stomach as he steps.I also like to notice when his front foot on my side steps down.As soon as it steps down I shoot..Because I know he has 3 other legs to move before that one moves again.
As soon as you shoot(bow or gun),watch to see where the deer runs to.Lay the weapon down as quickly as you can to free up both hands,or atleast use one hand if possible to cup your ear(s) to listen for the deer to crash...Also note any landmark he was last seen at when he ran away.(Off colored tree,larger than normal tree,anything).
Now here comes an important part.Things will look different from the ground.If possible.Stay in the stand until a friend can come.Then direct him to the spot where the deer was,and to where you last saw/heard it if he can't find blood.
If this is not possible,climb down keeping your eyes fixed towards the spot where the animal was.I have thrown my hat in the direction the deer was,I have also let my gun down,and settled it with the barrel pointing towards the spot where the deer was.That way you can be sure of which way to walk.
The next thing to do Is pull out a glow stick and put it out at your tree.I use red to remember that color is for my stand.Now walk towards where the deer was,and find the marker the deer was near when you shot it.When you arrive there put out an orange,blue,or yellow glow stick.Start looking for blood making small circles.
Hopefully you will find some blood.If you do you can put out a glow stick there.Start moving in the direction you heard/saw the deer go,and every 40yds or so put out a green glow stick.I just use green for blood marking.Keep one with you so incase you lose blood you can put it out to keep up with the last blood.These glow sticks are awesome to help you find your way back to your stand,and to also get an idea of what path the animal took as it left.You can look back and see where he came from.
If you have not found any blood start doing small circles,in the direction the deer went.Look for kick marks,broken limbs on little bushes.Look for blood spray on palmetto's,or where a deer may have brushed against a tree.
Assuming you did find some blood.What kind is it?Is it a good hit?Everything looked good,but there is stomach matter on the arrow?Alot of times a hit can be good,and come out with stomach matter just because of the angle.
Is it crimson red,maybe some foamy pink in there?That's what you hope for.Let's go get him..
But these below can throw up a red flag,and you may want to back out for a little while.
Is it dark red with some bubbles?That could very well be 1 lung,and a liver.Only dark red could be liver.
Is it a non-fatal meat hit? It will leave a reddish blood and a poor to fair blood trail that tapers off after a few hundred yards?..My general rule of thumb is UNLESS HE'S POURING BLOOD..if he has gone over 100yds you start losing odds on finding him,over 200yds,getting way slimmer..etc.
Does it smell like stomach matter?Do you find stomach matter?
I have seen deer hit in the neck bleed real good..taper out..then he will blow a puddle out as he clears his airway.Bleed good again,taper out,and then blow a puddle.That deer won't make it.If a deer is blowing out puddles he has blood entering the airway.
Take your time,and look high and low.Blood on one side of brush,and not the other can indicate which side of the brush he was on.Listen for flies to indicate where blood or the deer may be.Let one man look for blood,and the other stand at the last blood.There is no need for everyone to tromple around and possibly step on blood.
So you are following a blood trail,and it disappears?What in the world??And he's been bleeding good...I have seen a few things happen.When the deer gets real low on blood they will make a mad dash and just dive into the brush.They have bled out,and don't have anymore to leave a trail.Generally they will be within 50yds of the last blood.I have also seen deer backtrail 10 to 15yds,and then take off on a new path off of the original one.
Well all else has failed,you lost the blood,and you can't find him..What to do?
1-Walk the trail back,and look to see if he has back trailed.
2-Walk in the direction he last was going and make more small circles.Search brush piles,even small ones.
3-If with a friend make passes 10yds apart,for 40 or 50yds.
Here's some more tips..
If a deer is hit hard he will try to plow through anything to get away.If he isn't hit as hard he will take an easier path.(unless a downhill panic run)
Squirrels can tell on a deer when it comes running in their presence and passes.I found a doe last year that I couldn't find a drop of blood from,after I simply walked over to where the squirrels were chattering like crazy.
Alot of times fatally hit deer will run downhill,or atleast in a straight path.
Deer that have time to think usually turn around to go back where they come from,or will try to make a loop back to where they come from.
Flag up doesn't always mean the deer was missed,but generally a hard hit deer will keep it's tail tucked.
Watch body reaction when you shoot.Did it drop in the back end?(too far back)..Did it buck like a bronco?(possible mid-body hit),was he plowing like a bull dozier?(front legs out of commision)
Don't forget creeks,water holes,brush piles,even a small bushes can hide a deer.I have seen deer in a brush pile with no white visible.Sitting up like they fell asleep like that.
I hope some more will throw in some tips,or experiences of when they didn't give up.
