Seven Things To Consider Before Tracking A Wounded Deer
So here you are, its hunting season again. You’ve been out in the woods or up in your tree stand and you finally got a shot at a monster buck! But once you pull the trigger or release the arrow and it hits the mark, that’s when the decisions really begin. The question on every hunters mind at this point is; do I start tracking this deer now or do I wait?
No matter what you decide, you run some inherent risks. If you start tracking too soon, you run the risk of “jumping” the buck and running him off. This could eliminate any chance of recovery. If you wait too long to start tracking your deer, you run the risk of your trophy becoming a feast for a local family of coyotes or other predators.
When you find yourself in this position, facing this very question, consider the answers to these seven questions.
1. Did you see the deer go down or did you hear him crash? If you saw the buck drop, then you’re in great shape. Keep your eye on him and give him some time to expire. Just because he toppled over doesn’t mean he’s dead. If the buck ran outside of your visual range; did you hear crackling twigs, crunching leaves and a hollow thud? Then it’s deer down! Give him about an hour and take up after him.
2. If you didn’t see or hear him go down; how do you feel about your shot? If you have been hunting for any length of time, you know how you react when you shoot your rifle or bow. You know instinctively if you’ve blown the shot. If it wasn’t a perfect shot, give him plenty of time!
3. How did the deer react when you shot him? It doesn’t matter if you saw your arrow or bullet hit. The bucks reaction is a tell tale sign. Did he kick his back legs like a mule and run off? If he did, this is a very good sign. Did he hunch his back and walk off? Not so good! Be sure to give him extra time, unfortunately you probably didn’t hit the mark.
4. What is the weather? If the temperature is near freezing and night is falling, leave him be and come back in the morning and start tracking then. If the temperature is about 40 degrees or more, you’re definitely going to deal with some spoilage if you don’t recover him soon. Also, what is the forecast? Rain will wash away a blood trail and a fresh snow fall will cover it up.
5. Are there any predators in the area? Leaving a wounded buck in an area where coyotes are abundant; you’re asking for problems. If you know that there are coyotes or wolves in the area, give the deer an hour or so, then start tracking.
6. What is the time of day? If you place a kill shot on a trophy buck before sunset, waiting until morning is probably the right call. If you hit him first thing in the morning, daylight is on your side.
7. Is there anyone to help you? If you can get some help to track your deer, get it. Remember back to the last time you put the smack down on a monster buck; you were pumped! And rightfully so. Unfortunately, sometimes that adrenaline running through your veins doesn’t always work in your favor, you could be so excited, you miss something on the trail. Either way, having another set of eyes is always a good idea. Not to mention, having someone to take your picture with your trophy is a must!
Think every situation through before you start tracking your deer. If you take the time to answer these questions, you’ll bring home more venison for the freezer and more racks for the wall.
Are You Shooting With The Correct Draw Length?
One of the most common problems faced by bow hunters is having an improper draw length. So the questions becomes, are you shooting with the correct draw length?
To help you decide if you are, start by noting what your bow arm does when you release an arrow. When you pull your bow apart, your bow arm should be producing consistent forward pressure (with a slight bend in the elbow) and your release arm pulling the bow string back should be maintaining backward pressure. Upon release, your bow arm should move slightly toward the target and your bow string arm should continue moving slightly to the rear.
If you notice that our bow arm drops or swings to the side, your draw length is probably too long. Some other indicators that the draw is too long are that you struggle with maintaining the pressure necessary to keep your bow string pulled back. Also, if the bow string hits your arm on release, your draw could be too long.
The other option with your draw length is that it is too short. An indicator of this problem is that you feel “bunched up” in your shoulder blades or generally uncomfortable with your draw. Another common indicator that your draw length is too short is having a large bend in your elbow when you are at full draw.
So, how do you decide what your draw length should be? The rule of thumb for knowing your draw length is to determine your arm span in inches. Do the following naturally, no stretching, stand with your arms out at your sides and the palms of your hands facing forward. Have someone help you by measuring the distance from the tip of one middle finger to the tip of the other. Once you have that measurement, divide that number by 2.5. That’s your draw length. If you are still unsure, you can always seek the help of professionals at your local pro shop.
Some bows are easier than others to adjust when it comes to draw length. These bows have adjusting modules which only require you to remove a couple of screws. For others, if you don’t have a bow press, take your bow to the local pro shop for assistance.
Establishing a proper draw length is essential for a bow hunter. It is recommended though to have your draw for hunting about one inch shorter than it is for target shooting. This is due to the layers you’ll be wearing while on the hunt.
Make sure that you practice with your bow to be sure you are completely ready to go after your adjustments. Having the proper draw length will help you to get the trophy buck of a lifetime.
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