Lost deer

[Monkey Spanker]

Interesting point as I certainly agree, as a result of experience, with that!
arr... the close up easy shot, can't miss surely.... but erm, Oh dear!

My earlier post involved a good spine shot, hence the paralysis, but even that didn't initially kill it and it could have been a lingering death if not found. I think all shots have the possibility irrespective of POA to go wrong so there is no ideal solution due to too many variables involved.

In my experience, most missed heart and lung shots aren't!!!! If you are a competent enough shot to be shooting at deer (and if you aren't then you shouldn't!), then it actually takes some doing to miss a target area that big if you are within your limitations. It's all too easy just to claim a miss. There are an awful lot of dead deer out there that were allegedly 'missed'! Learn about shot site analysis and what to look for. Not all chest shot animals leave a blood trail believe me! If you are confident enough to pull the trigger - then maintain the confidence that the animal is hit. The chances are that it will be not too far away and stone dead.
MS

 

[mereside]

In my experience, most missed heart and lung shots aren't!!!! If you are a competent enough shot to be shooting at deer (and if you aren't then you shouldn't!), then it actually takes some doing to miss a target area that big if you are within your limitations. It's all too easy just to claim a miss. There are an awful lot of dead deer out there that were allegedly 'missed'! Learn about shot site analysis and what to look for. Not all chest shot animals leave a blood trail believe me! If you are confident enough to pull the trigger - then maintain the confidence that the animal is hit. The chances are that it will be not too far away and stone dead.
MS

Finding that shot site is the most important thing before following up, yes note the direction the deer has gone but spend time to find the shot site, bear in mind what calibre and bullet you are using lead free does not give the same shot site as lead.
I have followed up now on a number of deer shot perfectly well with little sign but have been good shots but had expansion failure so you never can rule out any scenario at all.
if little or no sign is apparent follow up with a loose dog will only harm your search, keeping the dog on a long leash will help you so much, not only can you find the shot site with the dog you can carefully search then if you start getting into 80-100 metres you can carefully back out. Going in at that first instance without an experienced dog will only push the deer on without success. These types of shot takes an experienced dog and handler to follow up but after a long search under torchlight and a free running dog will not be a good outcome.
going in off the bat is not the correct way to follow up on wounded deer or boar and without doubt if you leave the beast alone it will come to couch within 150metres fact, going in last light even a persons senses are heightened except the eyes and here's the down fall, Deer hear far better and also see so much better so at the point of dusk when your hearing becomes heightened the deer here's you way before you have a chance to get close it will just run on and on keeping going till it eventually has to stop but that will be off your ground. Any chance anyone has to shoot an animal thought to be the one first shot at should take that shot, it was on the plan anyway so rule out an injury from the off.
every body has a response ability to ensure we do everything possible for deer/boar welfare which going in at the first instance unless sure you have a good heart lung shot is not doing all you can to help a situation.
When best practice eventually rolls out with its updates hopefully people will spend time to do what is proven to work and you only have to look on our fb pages or website for the best follow up methods to use. Not long ago many would not entertain it now everyone is telling it but the best thing is many deer and boar have been recovered alive and dispatched using them when most said these methods were not needed as we don't wound deer. Many people still go in first chance and ruin or make things very difficult when there are far better ways, Atb Wayne.

 

[mchughcb]

Meant to add too, a wounded deer is a wounded deer. Each has a story or reason, so in fairness to me a messed up head shot has the same 'reasons' for missing as a messed up chest shot that's blown a leg off. Something went wrong. Now needs sorted. But something also to be learned from that experience so that particular reason doesn't occur again....

A messed up head shot is a result of a deer moving or the shooter. A blown off front leg aiming for the chest will almost always be a result of the shooter.
If you never missed a head/neck shot but have missed the chest shot then you really should sit down and think about that given the size and mobility of the fore mentioned areas.

 

[Yoda]

A messed up head shot is a result of a deer moving or the shooter. A blown off front leg aiming for the chest will almost always be a result of the shooter.
If you never missed a head/neck shot but have missed the chest shot then you really should sit down and think about that given the size and mobility of the fore mentioned areas.

He won't like that. If you read his posts up till now all he's done is dictated to others and listened to none.
I hope to god he hasn't influenced any young shooters on here.

 

[baguio]

In my experience, most missed heart and lung shots aren't!!!! If you are a competent enough shot to be shooting at deer (and if you aren't then you shouldn't!), then it actually takes some doing to miss a target area that big if you are within your limitations. It's all too easy just to claim a miss. There are an awful lot of dead deer out there that were allegedly 'missed'! Learn about shot site analysis and what to look for. Not all chest shot animals leave a blood trail believe me! If you are confident enough to pull the trigger - then maintain the confidence that the animal is hit. The chances are that it will be not too far away and stone dead.
MS

And look at the shot reaction. Perfect example was a munty buck I shot when out with MS and Jim Allen off here a few months ago. 140m from high seat HL (not an easy shot but not hard either). Good strike and typical reaction. Shot site showed lots of green which didn't compute. Little to no blood at scene and what little blood there was disappeared after 5m to nothing. Paul600 only lives 20 minutes away and nearly got a call when Jim picked up the trail 30m away which became a very strong trail and a dead perfectly HL shot munty. A rib splinter had broken the diaphragm and green had initially clogged the exit wound. Trust yourself as I would imagine that many would have given up on seeing that shot site?
baguio

 

[jamross65]

A messed up head shot is a result of a deer moving or the shooter. A blown off front leg aiming for the chest will almost always be a result of the shooter.
If you never missed a head/neck shot but have missed the chest shot then you really should sit down and think about that given the size and mobility of the fore mentioned areas.

You've taken the reference to the leg being blown off and a miss literally, there are many other outcomes of a messed up chest shot. Liver, spine, gut, even haunch. However, as you've referred to the leg being blown off I don't suppose misjudged distance, wind, bullet striking and unseen piece of growth can attribute this, plus of course a beast moving. Because I disagree. A deer can still move just as easily on a chest shot and cause a miss of the vitals including a leg blown off... As I said, taking in all circumstances before a head or neck shot is taken....

By referring to a miss I should have clarified that included reference to a miss of the vital area and still striking the deer. Like MS says, its actually more likely a beast is hit when assumed missed. Thats why a control track is done by a tracking dog after EVERY shot is taken.

 

[jamross65]

He won't like that. If you read his posts up till now all he's done is dictated to others and listened to none.
I hope to god he hasn't influenced any young shooters on here.

At times you don't have talk a load of 'YAD' Yoda.

I've looked back at your posts on this thread, and not a single constructive comment. As I said, some post for the sake of it, others just to cause an inflammatory response. Skin like a rhino though so bash on.....

Must go though as guests are waiting for the afternoon outing after a successful morning. BOTH CHEST SHOT!

 

[Yoda]

At times you don't have talk a load of 'YAD' Yoda.

I've looked back at your posts on this thread, and not a single constructive comment. As I said, some post for the sake of it, others just to cause an inflammatory response. Skin like a rhino though so bash on.....

Must go though as guests are waiting for the afternoon outing after a successful morning. BOTH CHEST SH OT!

Both chest shot is good
Have a good day, and yes I mean it.

 

[rem284]

I only looked at bits of this thread because there is so many posts on it. I have picked up from what Jamross says he obviously has a lot of experience. I agree and understand with a lot of what he says. What I would say is the person taking the shot is the one that decides on shot placement and has to deal with the situation when it goes wrong. They also has to make the right choices when a follow up is needed. If I have messed up my first thoughts is to get another shot into it if possible. If that is not an option then the next choice is to follow up with the dog. Things can go wrong and if you shoot long enough they will. The reasons can be varied and every situation is different. The only way of never getting things wrong is never to do anything.

 

[jamross65]

I only looked at bits of this thread because there is so many posts on it. I have picked up from what Jamross says he obviously has a lot of experience. I agree and understand with a lot of what he says. What I would say is the person taking the shot is the one that decides on shot placement and has to deal with the situation when it goes wrong. They also has to make the right choices when a follow up is needed. If I have messed up my first thoughts is to get another shot into it if possible. If that is not an option then the next choice is to follow up with the dog. Things can go wrong and if you shoot long enough they will. The reasons can be varied and every situation is different. The only way of never getting things wrong is never to do anything.

Too true.....

 

[jamross65]

Both chest shot is good
Have a good day, and yes I mean it.

Thanks, we did. Another chest shot....

 

[SaOsborne]

I have had some difficult experiences like this. I shot a Roe doe of sticks at a comfortable 140 Yds, chest shot, felt good, good strike, she turned, lept over a full fence and was gone into deep wood. I gave it ten minutes, then made my approach. At the strike site a good blood spray and hair, looked like heart/low lung for all the world. So I climb the fence, one splash where she landed, then nothing. Spent 1/2 Hr doing ever increasing semi circles looking for anything. At last a drop of blood, by now 30 Yds from the last one. I followed this sporadic trail out into a stubble field, along the edge for 100 + yds, back into the wood, through ditches, out back into the field, another 100 yds, then back into the wood, and finally over 300yds from the strike site, there she was, all on my hands and knees. My shooting buddy was ****ed of at me by now complaining we should just leave it! No way, I shot it I will find it I advised. Anyhow after Gralloch and evisceration, the heart was split like a bannana skin, clean open, never seen anything like it before or since and go on like she did. Never understood that one.
But if you really care, this is what you do, I never leave shot game, unless it is clear I have F**ked up and it will never be found. Everyone has one of those days, breaks my heart, wish I had never left home, I dont know about others but I always feel real exhilaration when I find a seemingly lost deer, like the sun has just come out. I loath myself on the thankfully very few occasions I loose an animal. It is easy to say after the event, but always try to take the sure shot, so at 80 yds if at all possible that will be an engine room shot for me, but as I have shown, that is not always guaranteed to get an easy find.....