It's finally here!

[Spinach]

Well, I'm off to bed and getting up at 5am. Luckily I only have a 5 minute drive in the morning.

Good luck everyone and be safe.

[Grute Man]

Well you're up in your tree stand as I type this but GOOD LUCK!!  I wish I could be out there this weekend too but work got in the way.

GOOD LUCK to all hunters out there today - archery, water foul, and small game!!!

Grute

[Mayfly]

Heading out this evening to see whats going on. Have a stand in a prime area and am anticipating a lot of action. Will post reports.........

[Realtree]

Best of luck to all who are able to get out this weekend !!!

I can't wait to hear reports and see some pics of the weekend's action.

Be safe everyone !!!     8)

[JohnWester]

all i can say is AAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
i nailed a 6 pointer, the arrow broke off in him.  After letting him go and sit for 2 hours, tracked, and tracked..  and figured he'd be dead on a bed.  tracked to a swapy area, boom he gets up and runs away.  no blood trail after about 5 yards.  nothing. nada.  i am so pissed about losing this deer.

[Spinach]

Where did you hit him? What color was the blood trail? Do you need some help, I can come help you right now if you want.

[JohnWester]

i had a nice 30 yard right side (broadside) shot... right when I was lined up and let go he took a step forward, so I was probably 5 inchs behind the vitals... so I would imagine he is high gut shoot.the fact the arrow didn't go through and then broke off Doesn't help matters... there was no blood trail anymore.  trust me, i put on the miles looking for him.  this is only the second deer that I have every lost that I shot, but the first one that I am pretty sure will die without me finding it.  (the other one was a bad muzzle load shot ((powder wet?)) that didn't penitrate and I think that buck will live out his life with a copper slug in his shoulder)  I don't know how we'd find it Pat... I had my uncle out and his neighbor who know the land and they booth agree it would be a hard one to find.  I think, unfortunatly, the coyotes will get that one.

[Spinach]

The offer still stands, if you want to try again in the morning, just let me know. I'm sure he'll expire somewhere now that he is left alone. How far did he move from where you took the shot? How much property do you have access to and is he still on the property?

Call me if you change your mind.

[Mayfly]

Lets get Luci out there She seems to be good at finding dead deer......

Seriously you need help I would be willing to lend two eyes as well.

[JohnWester]

well.. the property i hunt on isn't much... he went a total of maybe 200 yards before bedding the first time.  we could try... i gotta drop my kid off for baseball... but maybe after that? 

[GirlGuide]

..just interested here...Did you ever have any luck finding your buck?  gg

[JohnWester]

nope.  i kicked him up once and he got up pretty healthy, so i'd like to think he'll turn out to be the old, wise buck of the area that everyone sees in the distance but never gets a shot at.
I hate the fact that I hit a deer and couldn't get it though. 

[Model12]

On the info provided, I'd say you have a dead deer. That boken shaft/broadhead isn't done working and will continue to do damage when ever he moves. I'd say he's closer than you may think and hunkered down. He's got plenty of food and bedding area where ever he last bedded and won't go far for a long time, if he's still alive. You'll be amazed by walking through the scenario w/another person or two along and diff't perspectives on the situation. Take 'em up on the offer and see what you find out.
No doubt the emotions of losing a deer are not fun but it's part of it. Give it the college try and give it one more look-see. Best of luck.

[Spinach]

I did get out opening morning for a few hours, saw 7 deer out of my stand, 2 yearlings were within 20 yards of my stand and the others were out of range. I didn't do any calling at all, i just sat and wanted to get a good idea of what was on the property.

I typically dont do much bowhinting until the end of October or later, I hate the heat...

[HUNTER2]

Went out last night and had a nice high 6 pointer come by me. If he makes it to next year he will be big. I'm waiting for the bigger one. There is a nice 8 and maybe a 10.

[Grute Man]

You got more patience than I do then.  I'd have taken my best shot.