Upon arriving to the site of the shot, it’s important to be quiet and thorough while looking for blood or sign. If recovered, the arrow will be a big help in whether or not you should pursue that deer or give it more time. Dark blood with no food or gut matter on your arrow is a liver shot. Clear fluid with food matter or smelly blood is a paunch shot. Bright red blood that doesn’t carry much guttural stench is a lung/heart shot. Knowing what kind of shot was made based on the shot angle, deer’s reaction, your arrow, and the deer’s blood trail provides vital clues on what steps should be taken next. Remember: when in doubt, back out. Your attention to detail and actions after the shot play a critical role in a successful recovery, and are just as important as the time you’ve spent all season practicing for that “perfect shot.”
9 Responses to: Shot Placement Guidelines for Archers
Very good article! I have learned my lesson the hard way in the past by following the blood trail to early. With the excitement it is hard to wait, but sometimes waiting is very important.
I had a border-line shot on a doe yesterday and you described the sound perfectly….the first thing I heard was the thwack, then it was a thump…..quartered to me and went in middle of the ribcage but ended up going through the gut. That’s what the thump was. Great informative article, Ty.
Great article. Learned the hard way friday about bad shots. This article gave me some things to look for after the shot.
Good article Ty! I made a bad shot on a 4 pt early in the season. As hard as it was, I let the deer lay overnight. Found him the next morning 70 yds from where I shot him. I am sure that if I would’ve kept looking the night before, I would have pushed him and probably never found him.
Great article! I have heard and witness MANY stories of people shooting and then flying out of thier stands only to jump a bedded/wounded deer. You are 100% correct that if you jump a bedded/wounded deer, your chances of recovery are very slim. Its hard to wait afer that shot, but its definately worth the wait!
thanks for a great article Ty. This will surely help me prepare for my first bow season later this fall.
Great artical and info.It’s hard to fight the erdge and not fly out of the stand after the shot but the longer you wait the higher your odds for recovery……2 thumbs up Ty!!!!
ha! i loss a few monsters and wish i would have waited but more importantly bring your bow when u go back to look!!!
Thanks for posting… I’ve know more today than yesterday