Tracking Deer

[mattkimk]

Anybody any suggestions? Shot a Doe last night right at the end of any light, about 7:30. Went out first thing this morning and found the blood trail. Trail started out very sparse and then just when it got a lot bigger (much more blood) I have lost the trail and I cannot find this deer. I am 6 feet and the brush in this area is up to my chin in many spots. Bright red blood, I thought it was a good lung shot and still do but the last blood is a good 125-150 yards away from where I hit this deer.

I thought having my schedule of mondays and tuesdays off was good until I realized now I have no help tracking. Had my kids out this morning but they had to go o school. Darn education.

I know everyone loses one sometime and this wasn't a trophy by any means, but this would be my first lost deer.

Also, how long do you all think I have until it goes bad in this weather? I live in Hugo and its been pretty cool but its |Sunny today and suppossed to warm up.

Thanks

[Greybeard53]

Get back out there. If you had a decent blood trail for 150 yards, that's a good sign. Sometimes the wounds get blocked and the external bleeding stops for a while. Sometimes a long leap will cause a break in the blood trail. Just get back to basics. Mark the last blood sign and start making wider and wider circles. If the brush is really thick, get down at her level and look for the easiest routes for her to get through. Other than that, I've found they often go downhill and towards water. The biggest thing is don't panic and try to cover too much ground too fast. Take your time. It's cool. If you find her this afternoon, you should be OK. GOOD LUCK!!!

[harvey lee]

I would also agree to keep looking for it and take your time.Somewhere you should pick up the trail again.

One question might be,what was on the arrow shaft after you picked it up as far as color of hair,and any other matter?

Did you push the deer last night or just leave and return this am?

[Swamp Scooter]

If you lost the ground trail as stated get down to the level of the deer and look on the surrounding brush about 8-12" up. You cansometimes find some you did not notice with eyes at that level.

[Fishdeer]

i agree get back out there. sounds like you had a decent blood trail. In some cases ive had where i ran out of blood, the deer was found not far away.

[Code-Man]

I was looking at cabelas and they have a flashlight that has special lights with it that make blood glow. It might be light enough that we can't see it but it glows. Just a suggestion.

[Gus]

That flashlight stinks. If you are referring to the Carnivore by Gerber. We tried one last weekend and the blood showed much better with just a high powered flashlight like a maglight. Just FYI for anyone interested in spending the $$ on that light.

[Powerstroke]

I carry the blaze orange trail marking tape for marking blood trails. Its nice to see a path through the woods where the blood was. You can see a trend if the deer was drifting in a certain direction you can see the pattern. Its also highly visable.

If I lose the trail I start at the last spot of blood and do a circle around the orange tape. If I find nothing I move out another 5ft or so and make a another circle. I continue to do this till I find blood or deer.

You definately made a good hit. Last time I used my method I used it from the site of the shot to find the blood trail. She ran 30yds without leaving a drop of blood.

I would start with the circles. You can do that by yourself. If I were you I would keep any eye out for the deer more than blood. I know it sounds obvious, but sometimes its hard to find a deer size object when you're scouring for the tinyest blood spot, especially when the deer is probably laying in 5 feet of brush. I'd come help you if I could. Maybe see if you can drum up some help in the metro section of the forums to see if anyone wants to come out tonight or tomorrow.

[Stratosman]

That sucks.

I would circle the brush and see if I could pick up the blood trail if that is at all reasonable, not sure on the size of the brush patch though. If you cannot pick up the trail then assume the deer is dead in the thick stuff. Or just get down and crawl through the thick stuff. There will be blood on the ground if the blood trail is as you stated. You owe it to the deer to give it your best effort which it sounds like you are doing, but even with that, it still happens to the best of them.

[jbtwins24]

you know i honestly wouldnt worry about the weather, i would mostly worry about the coyotes. my buddy shot a doe sunday nigt and he lost the blood trail, the next day he went out to follow it more in the day light when he finally found it those darn coyotes got to it first. that was less then 24 hrs. dont know what else to tell ya but good luck finding it and the rest of the season

[mattkimk]

I shot the doe last night at about 7:20 or so. Went out first thing this morning at 6:30. I spent about 7 hours searching for this doe. About half of that was on my hands and knees. Well I guess I was bound to lose one sooner or later bow hunting.

Lots of season left though.

[FarByondDrivn]

We've all been there. It doesn't make it any easier, though. I would be willing to bet you didn't sleep too well the night you shot her. I agree that the weather should't be an issue but the coyotes might be. My friend shot a nice buck about three years ago. We met him coming out of the woods about forty five minutes after he shot it. When we walked back in to get it, the coyotes had already been at the hind quarters. I feel for you but keep an eye out for her and keep hoping. Maybe she'll turn up.

[Greybeard53]

Sure sorry to hear about that. I was hoping to log in this morning and see a photo of your deer. Sounds like you gave it a good effort and that's all that can be asked. I've been there before and know that empty feeling. Better luck on the next one.

[gr81]

Keep your head high.

Last year I missed a six pointer. Two weeks later I got another chance. Had a good 30 yd shot and saw the deer go down. Tracked the deer for 3 hours that night and a few hours the next morning with some help. Just when I lost hope my dad yelled for me. We found the deer 300 yards from the last sign of blood next to a water hole. That was my fisrt deer ever with a bow. Keep your spirits high and luck will be with you.

P.S. I missed a doe this morning but I'm confident that I will be successful soon!

[so haaad]

Along the same lines as Powerstroke:

Use a roll of toilet paper to mark the blood trail. You can predict travel directions pretty well by marking it with a toilet paper trail. It comes in handy, especially when you lose the trail suddenly. Toilet paper is very biodegradable, too. And, you never know when the roll of TP will come in handy for another reason, too!