Unit 10 AZ Archery

Bucher · Sep 19, 2011

My worst nightmare came true Saturday morning. I shot a bull 35 yards away and hit him behind his right shoulder. We waited what seemed like an eternity to begin the tracking process. Unfortunately after tracking the bull for six miles, we lost blood sign and was unable to pick up his tracks. Four of us spent all day Saturday and Sunday searching for him and was unsuccessful in finding him.

At this time, I decided to call my hunt off due to being emotionally drained from not being able to find my bull. I may go back for the last two days of the hunt, however, I'm not sure if I should go back to hunting or if I should continue to search for my bull, what would you guys do?

I'm asking that if anyone finds a dead bull near William's Az to please contact me as I need to have closer to this nightmare.

c3 · Sep 20, 2011

Go find your bull. Keep going during the rifle hunt. Someone will either find him dead or alive and you will always be able to rest well with how you played it. Shoot another bull and neither will be a sweet memory.

Cheers,
Pete

Gator · Sep 20, 2011

6 miles???? I don't think you will find this bull dead. How much blood did you find.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

Boskee · Sep 20, 2011

I'm sorry this happened to you but in any case I'd continue looking for your bull but you have to realize that you made a great effort in finding him. Your bull may not have recieved a mortal wound and may be running with a herd as the rut picks up.

If you go back up you may find him but to be honest bulls traveling that far may survive. I'd check out the water holes since they go to water after wounding for cooling but with all the rain this year he may have found a wallow. Only you can decide if you continue your hunt and you have to handle that the way that sits best with you. You may have helped some other hunter fill his tag. Good luck to you and I hope you have good outcome which ever way you choose to handle the situation.

GotBowAz · Sep 20, 2011

<<6 miles???? I don't think you will find this bull dead.>>

+1 Gator.

Sounds to me like you may have hit shoulder blade. Did you find your arrow, how deep did it appear to look and how high behind the shoulder was it? I think he is alive and well.

GBA

BigPig · Sep 20, 2011

If you tracked him for 6 miles, you didn't hit him where you think you did. I'd bet you either got a muscle hit high or low, or hit the shoulder and didn't get penetration. In either case, the bull will live to fight another day.

bonepicker · Sep 20, 2011

Were you still finding blood at 6 miles? If so keep following him. When I was a kid I shot a cow and we tracked her 23 miles over two days, by the end she was barely bleeding. We and finally finished her, that was sweet redemption. My dad would not let me quit, I took a bad shot and it was my responsibility to finish the job. It was a muscle shot but she would not have survived, its tough but as long as you have blood, track him down.