I thought it was a muscle hit.
I'm guessing that you were probably finding good blood every 15 feet or so for that first 100yds. This was probably due to blood streaming down the legs of the animal. Every time he landed - there was blood. When the blood began to clot, the trail faded. That's a real bitch.
The fact that this deer did not bed down is not too surprising for a mule deer - and an indication that he was not so grievously wounded that he still counldn't run to the next county. This deer probably has some remote chance of survival if the hit was too far forward and not too far back.
Times like this you need the services of a good dog that has been trained to follow wounded deer...
Such dogs are common in Europe and the UK where there is a lot of ethical pressure on us hunters to account for every deer we shoot.
I can recommend a good book if you want to get a dog and train it for blood trailing.
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Regards
Richard
I agree, but in many cases it's actually illegal to use a dog to track deer here in the States. Though most state codes include something to the effect that "every reasonable effort must be made to recover game." A tracking dog is reasonable to me.
Keep in mind it is harder to track a wounded deer on cyberspace than in the veld!!
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Ray Atkinson
When it was shot the buck ran about 50 yards then stopped looked back. Then walked another 50 yards looked back. Then he headed over the ridge. He did go uphill. We watched him for 3-5 min. and he did not limp. No blood was apparent on him through the Spotting scope. No bone hit. At 100 yards uphill, the ball would penetrate.
It was an old Buck. Not in Great condition, but an old mulie can live on Adreniline alone.
We put in 22 man hours (2 days) looking for the buck. We spent 2-3 hours on hands and knees looking. We also combed every inch of the area (150 acres of Mtn scrub pine). The blood looked like if you had cut your finger or had a bloody nose. Defineatley not lungs. I think it was grazed on the brisket.
Thanks for the thoughts. I am taking the Lab up there to hunt grouse this week, but we'll spend some more time looking. (It is illegal to use dogs) Hate the feeling of wounded animals.
PS- What is the book??
If they are wounded, they will most often bed after some minuits. A silent and careful tracker can then they them before they flee.
It�s astonishing that you�re not allowed to use hounds for tracking wounded game. Here in Sweden it�s forbidden to hunt big game without an tracking hound available. A dachshound will do a good job.
Fritz
The link says it is out of print but I have seen loads of copies in bookshops recently.
GW trained my senior lab bitch for deer work. He has led an interesting life as a Falconer for the Arab Royals in the Middle East, Horse breaker in South America, Hunter in Kenya, Master of Fox hounds in the UK and all round dog trainer.
The book is a delight even if you are only thinking about a gundog. The book is aimed at the HPR owner but as GW says the principles are the same for all breeds including Jack Russells which do very well as deer dogs.
I am always surprised to here that blood trailing with a dog is not allowed as it prevents the suffering of a wounded animal. In fact I think that in some European countries it is mandatory to have access to a trained deer dog.
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Regards
Richard
A dog for deer is an aid but not magic, it does need blood to follow and it must be able to do bring the buck to bay. The situation you outline is a tall order for all but the most accomplished dogs, not a lot of blood and a very mobile big deer. I also imagine in such a situation there would be a real danger (from what I have heard) of another hunter shooting the dog for chasing a deer.
quote:
Originally posted by MGC:
What would liver blood look like?
Dark, usually lots of it, and you would've found that deer. Always fatal.
I'm guessing it's a non-fatal hit. You've pretty much ruled out a gut shot by your description. Even a pure muscle hit(nothing vital) can be "bright red" (always subject to interpretation). You figure that deer has got his heart pumping after the shot, which means oxygenated blood flowing.
It sounds like you did an admirable job of trying to recover that deer. You'd be surprised at the hits that a deer can absorb, and after a little recovery period, go on with no adverse affects.
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Ray Atkinson
Losing a wounded animal has never sat well with me, but sometimes it does happen.
Good Luck All
Mike
I qualify the above by stating that I have no basis for the above other than experience and a educated guess...
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Ray Atkinson