Advice on wounded buck

M

Mallory Swint

New Member
Monday evening while I was in my stand, a doe in estrus walked in on me, and not even 5 mins later a very nice 14 pt buck came in. I have trail cam pics of him in the area. He was acting spooked like he was about to bolt, and a tree was blocking his vitals, so I took a shot I probably shouldn't have. I shoulder shot him with my crossbow and a g5 montec broadhead. He ran off pretty hard into a thicket. We searched and found the arrow with blood about 4-5 inches up it and the broadhead broke off. We couldn't do much searching before dark, so we came back tuesday to look. There was no blood trail, but we searched the thicket and surrounding areas for hours. Ended up walking back by the field we hunted around 7:30 and he was standing out in the field. He limped off carrying his right leg and went back in the woods by my stand. Any advice on if this buck will stick around the area/survive? I know they are tough and can easily survive a shoulder shot if it doesnt get too infected, just wanted some advice! I am leaving the area alone for a while and hope to come back later in the season and get him if hes still there.
 
I'd give him a fifty-fifty chance of pulling through. I've found deer laying in the woods with an arrowhead in the shoulder, that died from the infection. I'd keep an eye out, if he stops coming to the field, watch for buzzards and go get the antlers.
 
Drastic situation = drastic measures. I hate to injure or hurt an animal and leave it suffering so I would go out of my way to finish him off (even if he may make it, I would still go to great lengths to get another shot at him). With this in mind; sick and hurt deer like easy food and water near cover. Maybe put out a pile of corn, or hunting a nearby water hole is the ticket. Not sure what your regulations are but I wouldn't be afraid to go after him.
 
Probably not an estrous doe. If it was, the doe would bust you long before the buck even cared you were there. They aren't too wary in that situation. A little early here still for that....
 
Mallory Swint said:
I was thinking about that too. Just dont wanna push him out. Didnt know what the best option would be. I can always try!
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Big deer are amazingly tough animals. He will likely survive that wound. Hopefully he will get back on his feet for the rut and give you another chance.
Did he see you when he was out in the field? If so, he may decide to take up residence elsewhere. But you just never know.
 
On a shoulder shot I have found that you have to look at several things to find out how much penetration you got.Was the arrow broke right behind the insert?Was the blood actually from the body or did it run up the arrow some?Is just the broadhead in shoulder.I was had a buck shot in shoulder bone and he licked all the hair off for a softball size area.If they can lick it alot of times that will keep infection down.Also depends on outside temps and if flys are out
 
swat1018 said:
Probably not an estrous doe. If it was, the doe would bust you long before the buck even cared you were there. They aren't too wary in that situation. A little early here still for that....
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Wanna explain that? Why would a doe in estrous bust a hunter any more so than a non estrous doe?
And there are a percentage of does that come into heat in October. The fact that some fawns are born in early May proves not all mating is done in November.
 
Tap said:
Wanna explain that? Why would a doe in estrous bust a hunter any more so than a non estrous doe?
And there are a percentage of does that come into heat in October. The fact that some fawns are born in early May proves not all mating is done in November.
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I think his point was that the buck wouldn't have busted him because they get stupid while chasing tail. At that point in the game does are more observant than the bucks following them. I may have missunderstood his post though.
 
2014 Veterans Day I shot and wounded my #1 Buck (avatar pic) with my bow. Hit too high and deer ran off with arrow completely through both sides just below spine. Sick for days about that...no pictures on trail cams afterwards...assumed deer died of infection.

Thanksgiving day 2014 same buck comes in chasing a doe and I drop him with my rifle...it can happen...

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catscratch said:
I think his point was that the buck wouldn't have busted him because they get stupid while chasing tail. At that point in the game does are more observant than the bucks following them. I may have missunderstood his post though.
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That's all I was saying.
 
catscratch said:
I think his point was that the buck wouldn't have busted him because they get stupid while chasing tail. At that point in the game does are more observant than the bucks following them. I may have missunderstood his post though.
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He didnt really bust me. I accidentally clanked my boot on the stand and he tensed up and looked at me for a long time. Once he put his head back down I shot and I shouldnt have. I will definitely take this as a lesson because looking back, if he was going to run he wouldve ran then. Im almost positive the doe was in estrous though. She walked in w her tail raised and had urine all over her back legs. I could smell it when I got out of the stand
 
I’ve heard of it on October 18th before, 4 bucks on a doe hard and they were all 3 or older on my place.

Good chance you get another crack at that buck. I shot one with the arrow sticking out the first day of rifle season. Neighbor stuck him the day before with a high shoulder shot. Broke that whole right front and he was still on the doe trail searching when I shot him.


Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
 
20171025_191250.jpg 20171025_191250.jpg
letemgrow said:
I’ve heard of it on October 18th before, 4 bucks on a doe hard and they were all 3 or older on my place.

Good chance you get another crack at that buck. I shot one with the arrow sticking out the first day of rifle season. Neighbor stuck him the day before with a high shoulder shot. Broke that whole right front and he was still on the doe trail searching when I shot him.


Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum
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I got him this evening!
 
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