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#777910 - 06/29/09 01:29 AM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: B-switalski]
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Veteran Tracker
Registered: 10/02/07
Posts: 2517
Loc: Scleicher and Runnels County
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A wounded deer is an all hands activity at our place. I have lost two that made it over the neighbors fence. One was little Mike's buck. I think the neighbors hunters shot it again and picked it up. I saw their truck. Our place gets pretty thick so we have to really watch after the shot.
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#777911 - 06/29/09 12:48 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Light Foot
Registered: 01/05/09
Posts: 35
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We generally will search for an hour or two even if we do not see any blood. I have spent many hours on my hands and knees with a flashlight trying to find a speck of blood. Making a 50 to 100 yard circle around where you "thought" the deer was standing has lead to finding some deer that would never have been found otherwise.
I have had the occasion to take several people hunting for their first time. On several occasions, I have had people shoot at a deer and swear that they missed and never even get out of the blind to check for blood. They assumed that the deer would just fall over dead. When the smoke cleared and the deer was not laying there, they assumed they had missed. Another lesson I have learned with a first time hunter is to have them get a good "fix" on the location of the deer when they pull the trigger. They may not judge distance too well but at least you can get a bearing on which direction to look for blood.
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#777912 - 06/29/09 01:00 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Bird Dog
Registered: 05/16/07
Posts: 302
Loc: North Dallas
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I think a lot of hunters underestimate the toughness of a whitetail buck - particularly when they are hyped-up on adrenaline. Years ago I was sitting in a stand overlooking a wheat field. A 5 pointer walked out right under the stand I was in and was corssing directly in front of me- 20 yeards away. As the rifle went up, he sensed something wrong and his tail started to go up. Shot him with the 257 Roberts right in the right spot and he took off. Never jumped, bucked, nothing. As he ran across the field I noticed he was angling ever so slightly to the right- running just off a straight line. I watched him pass through the field and into some tall grass where he disappeared from sight. Marking the spot, I waited 15 minutes and got down. No sign of blood or hair at the spot of the shot. Following his path across the field, not one spot of blood. Into the grass, no blood. Followed the last spot I saw him and he was there- 25 yards past where I last saw him.
When cleaning, there was not a piece of heart left that was bigger than a marble- it was literally exploded. Yet he ran 150 yards or so without leaving a spot of blood.
Get help, circle when you lose the trail, and keep looking.
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#777913 - 06/29/09 01:27 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Veteran Tracker
Registered: 05/27/06
Posts: 2457
Loc: DALLAS TEXAS
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I'll look about 30 min if there's NO evidence of a hit.
If there is evidence I'll look for a while (until I think others are back at camp) then I'll go get help. We do have a treeing walker that has found about 5 out of 7 deer in the last 4 years, so if she's in camp she gets to go on the hunt. Over all we probably look about 4 hrs and then I'll look again the next morning too.
If I'm sure the animal was hit good I'll "burn" a tag.
_________________________
DISCLAIMER
ATTENTION: Your decision should NEVER be based SOLELY upon my advice, recomendation, or opinion.
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#777914 - 06/29/09 01:38 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: TX_LT230FH]
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Bird Dog
Registered: 05/27/09
Posts: 250
Loc: S.A. and Kinney Co.
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WT deer are extreamly tough as well as most all wildlife. The one deer I lost was shot with a .270 from about 75yrds. It was a high lung shot (i think missed both lungs) and he dropped instantly. So I'm like hell yes. My nephew was with me, he had a .223, as we approached the deer he started kicking aroun so took the .223 and shot the deer point blank 3" below the base of the skull. The buck was 125ish 10pt.
Now that the deer is "dead" I shed some clothing and up the guns on the ground in prep for dragging him out. I grabbed his rack and lifted his head. I noticed that his neck was stiff, not as it should have been. Just then WHAM, the damn deer shook his head and hit me in the ribs with his rack. He got to all four as I grabbed a gun. I pointed the gun and CLICK, F**K. Now the deer is scoot'n through trees, so I get a round bolted and make a failed attempt at the buck.
We were in Zapata TX, the pasture we were in had grass over waist high. The only blood we could find was in the spot the deer had initially fell.
This took place early on a Sat. morning. I looked for that deer all Sat. and then sat in a stand on Sun. to watch for buzzards, then walked for a couple more hours.
As stated if you put in quality tracking hours on a meat deer, in S. TX at least, its over by the next morning, heat and varmints will claim your prize. For a trophy a few extra hours are warranted. For a Buck of a life time I call'n for a chopper.
Sorry for the length.
kt
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#777915 - 06/29/09 03:23 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: doctaylor]
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Pro Tracker
Registered: 07/28/08
Posts: 1163
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Quote:
WT deer are extreamly tough as well as most all wildlife. The one deer I lost was shot with a .270 from about 75yrds. It was a high lung shot (i think missed both lungs) and he dropped instantly. So I'm like hell yes. My nephew was with me, he had a .223, as we approached the deer he started kicking aroun so took the .223 and shot the deer point blank 3" below the base of the skull. The buck was 125ish 10pt.
Now that the deer is "dead" I shed some clothing and up the guns on the ground in prep for dragging him out. I grabbed his rack and lifted his head. I noticed that his neck was stiff, not as it should have been. Just then WHAM, the damn deer shook his head and hit me in the ribs with his rack. He got to all four as I grabbed a gun. I pointed the gun and CLICK, F**K. Now the deer is scoot'n through trees, so I get a round bolted and make a failed attempt at the buck.
We were in Zapata TX, the pasture we were in had grass over waist high. The only blood we could find was in the spot the deer had initially fell.
This took place early on a Sat. morning. I looked for that deer all Sat. and then sat in a stand on Sun. to watch for buzzards, then walked for a couple more hours.
As stated if you put in quality tracking hours on a meat deer, in S. TX at least, its over by the next morning, heat and varmints will claim your prize. For a trophy a few extra hours are warranted. For a Buck of a life time I call'n for a chopper.
Sorry for the length.
kt
Yes, most of us have heard stories of deer that once thought surely dead, came back to life.
My partner once came back to came with a doe that had a handle sticking out of the top of it's head. Yes, I said a handle. You see, he had hit the deer with his truck while driving to the lease that night and, finding it dead (or at least he thought), decided to throw it in the back of the truck. (Let's overlook the legal issues for now. It was a very young doe, perfect for the grill.) Anyway, as it hits the back of the truck, it begins to try and get up. Of course, there's no gun readily available, so all he can do is look for something in the back of the truck. He grabs one of those long, round-shaped knife sharpers with a pointed end, and drives it into the top of her skull, all the way down to the handle.
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Dan,
Spring, Texas
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#777916 - 06/29/09 06:45 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Veteran Tracker
Registered: 06/24/06
Posts: 2033
Loc: Hurst, Tx
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I've lost 2 in my life. However, I gave it an all day and the next day search. And yes, I think they were mortal wounds.
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#777917 - 06/29/09 08:10 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Tracker
Registered: 10/20/08
Posts: 511
Loc: south texas
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I shoot all of my deer in the face. Therefore I never have to look, and it ruins less meat. 
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I feed Indian Corn, the deer really seem to like it and stay at the feeder longer......and longer....!
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#777918 - 06/29/09 08:10 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Tracker
Registered: 07/04/08
Posts: 642
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I've never wounded one so cant be much help....
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#777919 - 06/30/09 03:26 AM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Light Foot
Registered: 06/13/09
Posts: 27
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One thing I noticed is back when I used a .243 I shot a few deer right in the shoulder and the bullet never exited the body, there was no blood to be found. But I always found the deer.
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#777920 - 06/30/09 03:27 AM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: WTGuide]
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Light Foot
Registered: 02/22/09
Posts: 49
Loc: Abilene, Tx.
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I don't care if it's a coon, hog, or a trophy buck, I'll hunt till I'm out of places to look. The only animal I've ever lost was a big ole red boar hog a couple of years ago. I made the mistake of shooting him with a round I'd specifically loaded to avoid shooting through some of the small does on my FIL's place because of the neighbor's cows. I forgot to switch ammo and wounded this guy with a Hornady 110 gr. HP. He fell over like he was hit with a sledgehammer, but when I got about 20 feet from him, he popped back onto his feet and went through the fence. I jumped the fence with my spotlight and chased him for about 20 mins until my light died.(you haven't lived until you've shared W. Tx. shinnery with a wounded hog that you can hear, but can't see!). I made my way back to the truck, retrieved another light and went back, but never found any sign. I returned the next day and looked for several hours, but never found a single spot of blood.
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I hunt deer, hogs,birds, and politicians. I leave the politicians to rot in the field...
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#777921 - 06/30/09 12:52 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: toolman]
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Woodsman
Registered: 06/15/09
Posts: 202
Loc: Oak Point, Tx
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Twice, I've had to track deer that I shot. Both times they were recovered in the thickest brush they could squeeze into. The first one was only found because we spotted the antlers behind a brushpile. Other than that,it was totally invisible.
_________________________
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:
You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment.
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#777922 - 07/02/09 05:27 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dry Fire]
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Bird Dog
Registered: 01/08/09
Posts: 441
Loc: Texas
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Buck? Hours. Will call in dogs the next day if needed.
Doe? Until the blood trail stops and I've given reasonable effort.
That said, have only lost 1 doe in my lifetime. Found a bunch of chewed up grass, but not a drop of blood. Think I hit her in the esophagus, but not fatally (at first).
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#777923 - 07/02/09 06:10 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: cameron00]
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THF Trophy Hunter
Registered: 09/22/04
Posts: 5271
Loc: Abilene TX
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#777924 - 07/02/09 07:59 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: cody]
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Veteran Tracker
Registered: 12/02/08
Posts: 3188
Loc: On the Way
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I've got a good story.
My brother and I were driving a JD Gator down this road on our old lease and I see a spike bedded down. It was our last hunt of the season and I wanted the meat. Boom, neck shot with a 30.06 150 grain bullet. It was a bloody wound, the blood was actually shooting out like a geyser.
We sat and watch for about 5 minutes till we were sure he was dead. We go over to the deer, pick him up and throw him in the back of the Gator. Were laughing, cutting up, whatever, when the deer stands up and takes off!!!
He was bleeding a lot and we trailed him for hundreds of yards then the blood trail just totally dried up. Nothing.
We spent all day looking for him, to no avail. It was the craziest thing I've ever had happen while hunting.
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#777926 - 07/04/09 10:58 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: cbump]
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Woodsman
Registered: 10/29/08
Posts: 141
Loc: Temple, Texas
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I had an old 8 point come out at the end of the season last year. 125 yds, undisturbed at the feeder. I shot it in the neck with a 223. The deer reared up on its back legs, took 2 steps back and then flipped on its back with its legs kicking in the air. I watched all this, chambered another round. The deer jumped to its feet and was gone. Went to the site, no blood, no hair. Looked all day nothing. Hunted the next morning and looked again the rest of the day. Have looked for him on many occasions. Never found anything, still haunts me.
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#777927 - 07/05/09 04:16 AM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Berretta man]
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Veteran Tracker
Registered: 03/10/09
Posts: 2204
Loc: Bridgeport, Tx
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Dayum, Moose. That's a heck of a story. It's goofy enough to be believable. BTW, do you know the difference in a fairy tale and a hunting story? A fairy tale starts "Once upon a time" and a hunting story starts " I sh!t you not, little buddy" 
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 I hunt below sea level, also.
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#777928 - 07/05/09 05:51 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: poisonivie]
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Pro Tracker
Registered: 10/25/04
Posts: 1314
Loc: Cibolo, TX
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Lets put it this way about a week ago I loaded up some reduced loads for a 270 for my brothers wife to shoot and tested them on a 60lb sow. It was a good hit, but just not enough umph on the bullets. No bload trail so we searched the sout texas brush for about 90 minutes till I finaly found her on my hands and knees in a thicket of cat claw.
I dont like loosing animals.
matt
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It's hell eatin em live
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#777929 - 07/05/09 09:00 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: redchevy]
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THF Trophy Hunter
Registered: 11/28/07
Posts: 6223
Loc: Houston, TX
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i look hard for along time if i find blood. if i find hair i look a long time, but relize i might of grazed it. if i dont find nothing i look for along time thinking i mayeb missed
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#777930 - 07/05/09 09:09 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: cody]
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Veteran Tracker
Registered: 11/19/08
Posts: 3243
Loc: San Antonio.... Diboll,Tx is h...
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#777931 - 07/05/09 09:19 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: poisonivie]
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THF Trophy Hunter
Registered: 05/04/08
Posts: 5879
Loc: houston tx
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#777932 - 07/09/09 01:15 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Tracker
Registered: 07/04/08
Posts: 642
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I always drop mine in their tracks so I don't have to go looking for them
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#777933 - 07/09/09 06:39 PM
Re: How much effort do you put into looking for a hit deer?
[Re: Dan in Spring]
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Tracker
Registered: 10/20/08
Posts: 511
Loc: south texas
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I shoot all of my deer in the face so I do not have to look. I never have had to look for a deer, nor have I ruined any meat. I feed indian corn and the meat is very tasty. 
_________________________
I feed Indian Corn, the deer really seem to like it and stay at the feeder longer......and longer....!
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