2ndResponder
FNG
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2018
- Messages
- 44
I've been carrying around my bow for years now, and just got my first arrow through an animal.. and couldn't recover him. Quartering away shot on a Whitetail this morning sub 10 yards. I waited for his near leg to step forward and aimed just behind the armpit. I heard what I assume is a good thump and he bounced away crashing into some willows at 100 yards. I didn't hear him move through the willows or cross the river. I waited an hour to be safe. In the meantime I checked my arrow (picture attached). Thin layer of blood from (fixed blade) broadhead to nocks. Light red, possible bubbles but not clear. I'm confident that I hit where I was aiming and would assume that I got 1 lung, if not 2. I should have exited out of the brisket if I hit where I was aiming so maybe only 1 lung. I attempted to blood trail and hardly found any blood. The plants turning maroon right now don't help. I gridded the whole square mile and especially focused in on where I saw him go. At this point I had to call it because I have no leads. I know that archery doesn't have as much room for error as rifle hunting but I am at a loss for what to improve for next time. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong?