Lost Another One

[va3cgt]

I was out yesterday evening deer hunting. 10 minutes before the end of legal shooting hours, two does walk in. Luckily the night before I replaced my Excalibur Vari-zone with a Vortex Crossfire 3x32 illuminated scope and sighted it in. That lit red dot sure came in handy. Anyway, the doe was 45 yards and I took the shot from a rest. I knew it was a good shot because I heard a thump when the arrow hit the doe. She took off and I quickly checked the area for blood. No arrow or blood. So I backed out. I went back this morning to have another look and found blood. We followed the blood trail through a swamp which froze over. I wish I had higher boots. I ended up going for a swim up to the knees crossing the swamp. We had good blood sign for about 75-100 yards from where I had taken the shot. We found where the doe had bedded with a little blood then nothing. I can't figure that one out. How does a deer just stop bleeding? We found some foamy blood as well. We searched all day today, no deer.

I don't know if it's the broad heads I'm using or what. I'm still using the Excalibur Bolt Cutter 100 gn. I've lost three deer in the past six years with these heads.
So, I'm thinking of going to the Excalibur X-Act heads. What do you think?

[Gwen's Dilemma]

I think you're shooting too far. I learned (the same way as this thread) 25 years ago to keep my shots within 25 yards. My carved tip exomag is too noisy for longer shots. They always react too fast for accurate shots at longer distances. Before I get ragged on I'm stating my opinion. I don't mean to offend.

[sumner4991]

Most likely you hit a little high. I shot two does this year and one arrow entered about two inches higher than the other . . .the lower hit went 20 yards and the higher one went almost 100 yards.

Most broadheads will kill the deer on a perfect hit. The reason I use the bigger cutting mechanicals is for their ability to drop a deer when I have a less than perfect hit.

Did you range the yardage or was it a guess? I never take that long of a shot without using a range finder . . .and even then, I doubt I would take that long of a shot that late in the day . . .things that normally show up in a scope do not show up when the light is failing. . .like small twigs.

[Carnivorous]

Rage 3 blade 100gr head with a well placed shot puts them down for me in a hurry!

This guy only went 40 yards with the double lung shot & a huge blood trail.

[Peacemaker]

maybe someone else found her, finsihed her off, and took her home?

[onebigskittle]

I have darn ner stepped on a deer looking for them,Sometimes they camo up prettty good and tuck the white under them making it hard to see them.

[DaGriz]

Couple of things! You are shooting to far! Sounds like you didn't get a pass thru. You more than likely hit one lung and it's bleeding internally.
If you or something kicked her out of her bed; she ran until she died on her feet Bleeding all internal from a non pass through and a marginal hit, will not leave a a good blood trail
If the other three deer you lost were same distance ; you need to re-evaluate your hunting and shooting methods

[Woodspike]

Couple of things! You are shooting to far! Sounds like you didn't get a pass thru. You more than likely hit one lung and it's bleeding internally.
If you or something kicked her out of her bed; she ran until she died on her feet Bleeding all internal from a non pass through and a marginal hit, will not leave a a good blood trail
If the other three deer you lost were same distance ; you need to re-evaluate your hunting and shooting methods

X2

[frisky]

You said
How does a deer just stop bleeding?

I have heard water will stop the bleeding, I don't know for sure.

[Archer Ontario]

limit your shooting distance 45 yards right before dark is not a shot i would take.

[wabi]

You heard the thump, but at that range the deer could have easily dropped several inches after hearing the sound of the shot.
Hopefully that was what happened.
A high hit will usually bleed a lot at first, but soon clot and then there's no more blood trail. If that was the case the deer has a good chance of survival.

I've learned to limit shots to 30 yards and under, and usually keep them much closer than 30 yards. Actually I've only tried 2 shots over 30 yards and am 0 for 2 as far as hits. Watched one arrow sail over the buck as he dropped, and watched the other arrow go under the doe as she stood there (used the wrong yardage mark ).

[bdog]

at this time of year(rut)a whitetails metabolism changes so blood will clot quicker for their own protection....

[UPSMAN]

Most likely you hit a little high. I shot two does this year and one arrow entered about two inches higher than the other . . .the lower hit went 20 yards and the higher one went almost 100 yards.

Most broadheads will kill the deer on a perfect hit. The reason I use the bigger cutting mechanicals is for their ability to drop a deer when I have a less than perfect hit.

Did you range the yardage or was it a guess? I never take that long of a shot without using a range finder . . .and even then, I doubt I would take that long of a shot that late in the day . . .things that normally show up in a scope do not show up when the light is failing. . .like small twigs.

x2

[va3cgt]

Thanks for the replies.
That's the longest shot I've ever taken. Checked it with my rangefinder. I figure I got a little impatient because I was losing light. I should have let her pass. All my shots in the past have been under 25 yards. I lost one shooting from the ground and this one and another have been lost shooting from a tree stand. Looks like I don't take into account the elevation change.

[rayman]

Hard to tell much about it without seeing the blood, smelling for a paunch hit, etc. Sounds like you looked hard enough.

If it was a good hit, it would not be the fault of the boltcutters. That's what I use. Sounds like a less than perfect hit.

Second what others have said. 45 yards is for those who practice far more than me. I try to limit shots to 20 yards. Not much more and not much less. I hate bloodtrailing bad hits.

Keep your head up and learn from the experience. Build confidence and know your limitations. Do that before changing broadheads.