I haven't posted in years but read regularly. We have had a good 9 point on camera and I finally saw him a few evenings ago. He came out with 2 minutes of legal shooting light left and I shot him during the last minute. He was quartering towards me - got my gun up and took a quick shot. Not only was there very little legal light left, there was very little actual shooting light left as I was in some pines. He took off running towards me immediately after I shot and into a hardwood bottom, no apparent "mule kick" that I recall though it was dark. We didn't find any sign that night but I went back the next day we found a small amount of WHITE hair near the shot site. This was good for my ego in one sense that I didn't totally whiff but bad that I know I hit him and he may die and us never find him. Shot was within 100 yard I hate to admit. We did not get a dog onsite as I simply didn't have time

These are all of the relevant facts. As much as I would like to think "it was a non lethal shot" - getting shot with a 270 is hard to survive. Have any of you ever shot a buck [confirmed shot] and confirmed later that he was still living?

A dog will let you know.

Yessir. Ego aside, i would much rather have missed him clean than hit him bad, even a minor fleshwound. Ive seen clean missed deer come back real quick. Ive seen wounded deer never come back.

During the rut, bucks do and act differently when chasing does.

I'd get back in the area and be looking. A wounded rutting buck will sometimes still keep going even when hurt to pursue a doe.

A dog will still be effective several days later as well.

And in answer to your question, depending upon where hit, and cold weather, he may survive.

God Bless,
David B

Thank you for the thoughts

I’d find a good dog and then you will know

What is this shooting light u speak of?

Battery dead
Hope you figure something out.. have seen deer show back up on camera after being shot with “non lethal shots”

Found the deer! Went back and walked a creek fairly close to where he was shot. Coyotes had of course eaten him up so I couldn't tell where the shot was but I'd say he was found maybe 200 yards from where he was shot. Went into the creek and apparently couldn't make it to the other side. I was thrilled to say the least

If you had listened and called in a dog. 🤷‍♂️

I reckon someone should have told him to look in the creek. If i had a creek 200yds away, i certainly would have looked there. Wont help now but going forward, shot deer will lay in a creek or any water. Good idea to look there before you give up on him. Hate you wasted the deer.

Glad you got him, I would imagine I would be thrilled too... Congrats, post him up if you can, I like looking at good 9 points...