Thanksgiving morning went out till about 9 for a short hunt before starting the last minute cooking. About 730 a 4/6 point with a big body comes walking through around 60-70 yards. Stops with his head and front of shoulder behind a tree. Put the cross hairs on the crease where shoulder meets the body, at the shot stumbled and took off running 150 grain Silvertip factories. Got down at 9, found goood blood within 10 yards of the shot, followed it about 70 yards and found where he lay down lots of foam in the blood. Lost the blood about 30 yards past where he got back up.

A friend and his son who are good hands at trailing came to help. We found blood again and followed another 40 yards and it just vanished. Looked till 11 or so. No other sign. Never seen as much lung looking blood and the deer keep going. Really dampened my Turkey day. I have only lost 3 before this in about 40 years, always hate to.

Yes, tough one Walton. He's dead somewhere for sure but not finding him really takes the shine off a whole season.

Are tracking dogs allowed in your neck of the woods? We have guys who do it for donations around here. They have about 50% success rate even 3 days after the shot.

That about says it all. I'm wondering if the Silvertips had a part in this? May load up some 150 Hornadys?

I'm guessing he was at more of an angle then you thunk and you clipped one lung.

I love drilling shoulders

try the dogs if you can , those buggers can hide behind a blade of grass, probably in deep thicket, good luck .

norm

Hunt long enough and it happens, but always hate when it does.