friday evening about 4:40, 3 big mature does step into the field, my 10 year old son had his 243 youth model and i got him set up and on the biggest one.. bang, she does a complete somersault and flops around for a few seconds then goes still. He is fired up, giving me a high five and hugging me. I take a couple of pics of him and text my wife. I look back out there and she is lifting her head up. I'm holding his rifle so I decide to put another one in her. As I shoot (and miss) she jumps up and runs off like there is nothing wrong. we go out there and there is a spot of blood about 3 inches around where she was hit and some hair. then another spot where she was laying, but then only 2 small drops between there and the woods. spent 2 hours in the woods that night and another 2 saturday morning, no more blood. im just sick...

I been there before Bama, they are tough especially mature does. He will get another shot at one just keep encouraging him because all hunters go through that. I shot one and had blood everywhere and all I have to show for it is this story I'm telling you, that doe got up and fell 3 times and still had the energy to run!!!

Hate to hear that, likely nicked the spine and stunned it. I did that on a pretty nice 9pt that dropped then flopped into the cutover.

thats exactly what it sounds like it sucks but it happens hell get another shot though don't let that discourage him.

He'll likely get another shot at that one. Sounds like a classic "back-whack", hit the spinous processes above the spinal cord.

Sorry to hear that. Both my sons missed the first time shooting at a deer but have been deadly ever since.

Best way to forget it ever happened is to get back out there and let the young man kill him one!

Good luck!!

I've been there and done that. 8 point I shot was trotting chasing a doe I shot him,he laid there for 10 minutes. I looked up and he is walking towards the fence line. Chambered another round and folded him up again.

Just for sure let him put two shots in next one and say she not going no where this time. Bet you get a smile.

Where was he hit the first time? Second time?

I totally missed my first deer 3 times at age 35. Killed one a few days later and the misses are now a distant memory.

Aww man do NOT get worked up about it! What a heck of a story. Y'all be telling that one for years! He'll get one in a few days for sure! Sounds like she was just stunned and will be fine.

Dr. B

Check that gun and scope out before you go again. Deer runs off after he shot and then you miss with the same gun tells me something could be off.

I try to remind kids ( especially excited and shooting thru a scope)to KEEP LOOKING THRU THE SCOPE until after the trigger is pulled. My kids would take aim( thru scope) and then "peek" over to see what happened as they pulled the trigger. Kind of like keeping your head down in a golf swing...you will never like what you see when you pick your head up early. Just a thought- might be reason for a back slap shot.
Another shot will happen given time- don't either of you get frustrated over that.

He'll just want the next one that much more. It's all good. Keeps the fire stoked!