Lost doe

[deadeye]

Yesterday morning I shot and hit a doe at 30 yards. She bolted away looking like she was hit. Waited for half an hour and checked the spot she was standing. No hair, blood or arrow. Followed where she ran for about 40 yards and found nothing. Returned to where I shot and again looked for sign of a hit or my arrow. Nothing.  I picked up my gear and headed out planning on how to start a search when after 100 yards I found blood and not far away my arrow. Although there was good easy to track blood, it was bright red indicating flesh wound. The arrow did not get much penetration 3-4 inches. I suspected a low front shoulder hit. I very slowly followed the blood trail about 150 yards where the trail ended at a brushy point going out across swamp. After an hour of looking and not finding any blood or sign going into the point or around it. I followed the blood trail back and after about 40 yards I found where she had backtracked and headed off the trail. I followed for a 80 yards but the trail dried up. Sucks for sure. Crappy way to end a hunt. I'm hoping she will survive. 

[dakids]

Tough animals.   She will be fine, just a lot smarter.

[birdswacker]

Curious what your using for broad heads?

[snow1]

That sucks D.E.,sounds like you clipped a lung "bright red blood trail" not uncommon for this type of wound to coagulate,had this happen after a double lung arrow pass through once,3-4" penetration ain't much penetration guessing she'll be fine.

[deadeye]

birdswacker,
I used Rage expandable.  I'm not sure just what the arrow hit but it did not penetrate very far.  I draw about 53 pounds.
I'm posting a few pictures that could possibly be offensive to some but maybe I can learn from some others who had
more experience. 

[Jerkbiat]

My guess is you may have hit the shoulder blade with only 3" of penetration. Never got to the vitals.