I got blood and hair about four inches on the shaft. The broadhead broke off in him. I didn't hear him get up after the third crash but I guess he could of just stayed down and decided to rest.

I'd for sure be headed back to the house or camp right now to decide you next move. Let your emotions calm down a little and then go from there.

Just shot him. He came in and I watched him so long I had done calmed down. Everything was perfect. I was patient, he was about to turn broadside, I turned and he stopped. I held it for about 30 sec and then he turned. I settled and let it fly. Then I see it deflect and head a loud thwack. I hit a limb and squares his shoulder up. I've got blood but I don't know if he's dead or not.

I've worked my butt off trying to figure this deer out. I've ate slept and breathed this deer for 2 months. I waited until the time was right, played the wind, and went in and the lord blessed me with a chance. It looks like I blew it. That deer deserves better than that. It was a beautiful hunt and I hope I didn't wound him. If I did I probably won't talk for a few days. Yall wish me luck.

Right there with you bud. Mine wasn't even a rack to brag about but a huge bodied, old deer. I put him at the top of my list over nicer racks on younger deer. I patterned him and knew where he enters the point and even commented about it in my first post earlier.

When he got to the first opening, he stopped and looked right up at me. I was frozen in my ASAT suit and he started walking again. Put his head down like he was trying to bust me, so I didn't move. As soon as he went behind some leaves, I drew. He stopped when he cleared, and I even consciously thought to aim lower. He still ducked it, and I *think* it must have hit the shoulder. Loud THWACK! And I saw the arrow just sticking out with maybe 6" of penetration. Absolutely no penetration, no blood, no arrow, nothing. Tried to see if my arrow fell out when he crossed the creek up the steep side (not sure where we crossed either). Didn't see him and didn't see my arrow with reflective wrap. Backed out to not booger it up any worse and will resume the search in the AM and hope I didn't bump him.

First bow shot at a deer and this is what happens. Not really excited about picking the bow up again for a while. Absolutely sick and this deer deserved better than this. Off the next 2 days to hunt, but I'll be searching for him tomorrow and probably forego hunting on Tuesday.

Good luck to you Norton

I'm pretty calm. Sitting at the house right now. Gonna wait a long time before I decide what to do. Prob just wait till morning. It sucks, but I reckon it's part of bow hunting. I just pray he's dead

Best thing you can do is wait. You put in a lot of time in this deer, no point in messing up and rushing and bumping the deer and not finding him.

Reads good of the three falls, and no more. Slip in quietly by self with bow ready, in the morning. If he didn't die, on your approach, you may have a one time chance of him being stiff and getting another shot in him.

I don't feel this will be an issue, as he will be dead and there when you arrive, but better safe than sorry.

I'm sure I'm not writing anything you don't already know.

God Bless,
David B.

If you only found 4" of your shaft that joker is dead, Norton. Congrats to everyone they connected. I've got to work tomorrow and Tuesday then I'll be back at it.

I thought you was off like 96 days straight

Man I wish you weren't so dang far away. I'm itchin to get Otis on some tracks. Good luck! We'll be looking for some pics in the morning.