Deer hit in the general area of the red dot, high but below spine. Lethal or not and how long should you wait to start tracking. Deer ran off, stopped looked around and slowly walked away. No arrow as it apparently hit bone on the off side and it stayed in. Second picture was found while slipping out of the woods, and can see steady drops leading away. Did not follow left woods and giving it time.

maybe lethal. wait an hour

Wait 45 mins minimum should be dead now but just to be on the safe side

Wife shot one like that a few years ago, with ML.
Dropped like a rock.
Dead still
For a few seconds.
Got up, ran down the hill, jumped a stream, then across 400 yds of open pasture.
Few drops of blood where it fell, then nothing.

I shot it again the following year, lol.


You might've clipped an artery or something, but lots of No Mans Land there too.

I'd wait an hour

Let us know how it works out. Eric

x2

Best of luck, blood doesn't look dark enough to indicate a liver hit or bubbly enough that you mightve clipped the top of the lungs, but if you got inside that chest cavity it could fill with blood internally. Keep us posted.

there's an area up there they call "No Mans Land", google it. They can bleed like a bugger, but it's not fatal. I've seen 3-4 deer that were killed the next year after my buddies hit them there and we tracked them with great blood for along ways before calling it.

Good luck

If there are bubbles in the blood, then high in the lung lobe(s). Wont spray as much, but will expire 1hr ish. Unlike the drawing, there is often a void between lungs and spine. Unfortunately, those seem to dump a bunch of blood fast then heal up. I'ld wait 1 to 1-1/12 hours and get on it. Good luck and I hope you recover it.

Hard to say but if you were hunting from a stand my guess would be its lethal. I would wait at least an hour. Probably less than 120 yards from where you shot him if he hasn't been spooked.

ol dad

Touched base with a buddy that dog tracks in the area. He said he would wait till after dark to look, because he says 9 times out of ten people are off on where they say the arrow hit.

I agree. I shot one 20+ years ago just like that. I saw the hair fly in the scope and lots of blood for a 1/4 mile and then nothing. By pure accident, I shot the same deer a week later and you could actually see right through the bullet hole. It passed below the spine and above the lungs. I am anxious to hear what you find.

He's right about that. Good advice!

ol' dad

Yeah, like how it’s a myth.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2238658/episodes/15591415-ep-48-the-myth-of-no-mans-land-with-kip-adams




Most shots people call that are over the spine and not fatal because of that. You hit the lungs if it’s below the spine. They’ll die eventually due to infection if it’s in the guts

I would wait ATLEAST 2-3 hours, if not longer. I'd call a dog tracker in if possible, but they will likely have you wait way longer.

What I always tell the ladies I mentor... go back in 2-3 hours, do a cursory look at the hit site, and look for about 50ish yards to see if you can find the arrow anywhere to get a better sense of what you are looking at. The longer you can wait the better.

I have lost 5 deer in my life every one was hit like that. but your blood looks better darker less water in it. with all of mine blood ran out very quickly and nothing to track. I would give it at least an hour probably longer if it's cool enough in your area. hopefully you hit something good in there.

I would wait four or five hours - especially during the day. If he is dead in an hour, he will be dead in five hours, also

but spoild if high temperatures. it's always a balancing act. had shots I have wanted to wanted longer but rain was blowing in so had to look sooner. it may be hot in his area today or going to rain pressing him for time. other than that I agree.

Barely in the 60s here today so not too worried about spoilage.