Shot Placement - the one that got away!

[Idaho Mike]

I hit a nice bull last week. Had a 20 yd shot, and hit almost right where I was aiming. Arrow was real tight to the shoulder, but a little high. Probably about 10-12" from the top of his back. I shot at a slight down angle at him. The arrow penetrated about 20". It didn't pass through completely, I think it struck the opposite shoulder blade and was stopped. I was ready to punch my tag. Waited 90 minutes to track.... found the piece of arrow that was sticking out from him almost immediately...10".... he sheared it off w/ his shoulder blade when he took off running. Started tracking, and had decent blood trail, but not great. I lost it after about 400 yards. Spent the rest of the day looking and combing the area but never found him. I'm nearly positive it was a fatal hit, but I couldn't find him.

Thought I'd pulse the board to see if any of you have had similar hits with the same results. Any comments, thoughts, etc????

I'm still disgusted, and think I may need to go into rehab!!! Can't get it off my mind.

 

[Ed]

My hunting partner nailed a bull in the same location here in AZ this year. Blood trail petered out after about 300 yards. We found him dead of a high double lung shot after about another 150 yards by following tracks and scanning the area in front of us. We found him about 1 hr after the shot was made and he was already beginning to stiffen up. High lung shots produce little blood. They will die but you will have your work cut out on a tracking job. I feel for you, it's a terrible feeling.

 

[MADMAX]

Did same type shot last year on 6X bull high shot hit off shoulder, single lung no blood on ground, lots on the elk's side, let him go bed down, looked (6guys) 6 hours, NADA no blood, the worst feeling ever.
Looked for him, 3 different trips early and late hunts, again NADA.
Bow was set at 70lbs, carbon arrows, wasp broadheads,
this year changed to muzzy's and was really impressed with penatration, dead in minutes.

 

[Weasel]

http://www.geocities.com/az1f/1.html?989889391530

No reason to lose a well hit animal anymore. Check-out the above link.

 

[Idaho Mike]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've got to try and remember that it's better to hit low than high. Sounds very similar to what happened to you MadMax. I must've only clipped a lung, if that. At least I know I'm not the only one. The dogs from weasels post look pretty cool, and may have been able to help.

FYI... I was shooting a 70# Mathews Q2 bow, 430grn. Gold Tip Carbons, Rocky Mtn. Premier broadheads, 270 fps, w/ about 70 ft/lbs of energy.

 

[muleyqueen]

It happens, it sucks, but it happens. It's part of hunting whether or not we want to admit it. He probably didn't go to waste though. Think of the coyotes or bears that he fed and maybe the next time you're predator hunting you'll get one of them. No rehab needed. You're a respectable hunter because you a least have a heart and were concerned about the animal. Sorry to hear that you lost him.