How about some CSI.....

[Robhuntandfish]

  So on 11/13 I shot a buck with the crossbow.  Never found it after searching for 2.5 hrs in the dark before a freak thunderstorm.  Then another 2.5 hrs in the morn in a now flooded swamp.  

After the shot found several places of good blood (wish I had pics of but thought we were going to find it) 

Found the xbow bolt broken and without a broad head about 40 yards from the shot.  

Deer was quartering away with the right side side facing me.  

Below are pics of the deer I got on cam as I went down the trail a bit after I shot it and into the woods.  Can see a clear wound on the opposite, left side, that looks like the bolt came just to the skin edge forward of the shoulder. Have a pic and a video.  

I thought it was a 6 or a small 8.  

Recently I got a pic of a deer with what looks like a wound/shot over the high right side before the shoulder. 

Is this the same deer maybe?  Probably no definites here but would be nice to know the deer made it.  

I was 17ft up in a tree so the angle of the wound on the right and the pics of it that night with a wound on the left sure looks like they match up to me.  If so wow that is a just miss there on lungs.  

What say you.....

(Pics coming....) 

[Robhuntandfish]

Broken bolt found 40 yards away.  

[mowin]

Not Soon enough............

Lol

Damm, you were fast. 

Edited December 9, 2023 by mowin

[Robhuntandfish]

Video of wounded deer going into brush after coming out in trail about 90 yards away. 

 

 

 

[mowin]

The broken bolt could mean two totally different hits. 

One, the shoulder blade sheared, broke it. Good penetration 

Or, trees or other obstacles broke it as the deer was running through the brush, bad penetration. 

[Robhuntandfish]

Still pic of wounded deer going into brush.  

And pic of circled wounded area just ahead of left shoulder.  

Edited December 9, 2023 by Robhuntandfish

[Robhuntandfish]

Recent pic of a deer with what looks like a wound on the right side and would line up with the wound in pic that afternoon I shot it. ....

[Robhuntandfish]

10 minutes ago, mowin said:

The broken bolt could mean two totally different hits. 

One, the shoulder blade sheared, broke it. Good penetration 

Or, trees or other obstacles broke it as the deer was running through the brush, bad penetration. 

This spot was mostly all high grass like in the pic.    He didn't hit the heavy brush yet where I found the bolt. I know it went all the way thru as there was a wound on opposite side in the trail cam pic. 

It wasn't a pass thru but I think it just barely penetrated the opposite side and he broke the end with the right shoulder blade. 

If this is the same deer they sure are tough.  I know it's a high hit but a full penetration and still live is something.

Edited December 9, 2023 by Robhuntandfish

[Stubborn1vt]

Sure looks like the same deer to me as far as size/rack and the entry and exit wounds would line up.  Very possible.

[mowin]

4 minutes ago, Robhuntandfish said:

This spot was mostly all high grass like in the pic.    He didn't hit the heavy brush yet where I found the bolt. I know it went all the way thru as there was a wound on opposite side in the trail cam pic. 

Upper shoulder but forward. 

[Robhuntandfish]

Just now, mowin said:

Upper shoulder but forward. 

Yup and came out forward of the offside shoulder.    

I thought I aimed back a bit farther to make up for the angle but must've caught him more forward than I thought. 

[Robhuntandfish]

28 minutes ago, mowin said:

Not Soon enough............

Lol

Damm, you were fast. 

If it's tech I am def not fast.  The older I get the more I realize this. Lol

[Robhuntandfish]

When I shot at this buck I was still shaking from having that monster 8 at 43 yards and couldn't get a shot.  Think he shook me up a bit.  

Or the sun was in my shade.....

Or I sprained my ankle......

Or I didn't account for the rotation of the earth.....

You know something like that. Lol

I was def a mess after that 1st buck came thru.  Prob should've held off but thought I had it .  

[JJJWNY]

19 minutes ago, Stubborn1vt said:

Sure looks like the same deer to me as far as size/rack and the entry and exit wounds would line up.  Very possible.

I totally agree and also think it most likely is the same deer. That wound is in that "i can't believe it didn't kill it area". Inch higher and it drops right there and needs a finishing shot. An inch lower and it goes about 50 yards and piles up. If it was easy it would be no fun.

[nywaw]

High and forward based on those pics/videos and the angle.  Little lower and you likely clip at least one lung.  Also possible lungs were deflated on exhale making even less available lung area to hit.  Amazing how tough they are to survive a pass through.