After thinking about the dicussion in another thread on losing a deer, it got me to wondering how long does the average hunter wait before going to retrieve their game.
I know that there can be many variables and therefore no one answer will be correct, So for this dicussion lets set these situations.
1: Perfect Broadside Double-Lung Shot. Deer falls within your sight.
2: Perfect Broadside Double-Lung Shot. Deer runs out of your sight, but you hear it fall.
3: Good Looking Broadside Shot. Deer runs out of your sight and you do not hear it fall.
4: Angled shot (either forward or rearward) and you hit what seems to be to far back. Deer runs out of sight and you do not hear it fall.
5: Questionable Shot. Not Sure of Exact Location of Hit. Deer runs out of sight and you do not hear it fall.
In the old days and archery was still fairly new sport (Jennings had just came out with this new-fangled thing called a "compound bow"), most generally the rule was wait 30 minutes and then follow the trail. Bows did not have the energy that they do now. Broadheads were not as large on the cutting surface, nor out-of-package as sharp as now. Has this changed the way you aproach your follow-up?
Anyway. lets see what you all think. Should be interesting to see the replies.
IM still a 30 min guy, even if the deer falls within my sight. Down does not mean dead, and YOU do not want to catch an antler in the face( or any other body part) ever!.
If he falls within sight, I take my time and pack up my stuff and leave in a few mins. A good shot with me hearing him fall, 10 mins. Questionable- 30+ mins. This all is dependent on whether it looks like it will rain and morning/evening also. If it's early in the hunt I'll continue to sit and try to make it a double.
All depends on weather, time of day, and season for me.
A good cool morning, I will let animal lay and keep hunting. Bow season I get going on them pretty soon. The hog I killed opening morning...I shot it at 7:15. I waited till 8 to get down to see if anything else came in. That was almost too long to let it sit as it was covered in green blow flies
Afternoon hunts, I like to get on them quick to use all available daylight. If I think I am bumping an animal, then I will back out and get help
Generally a morning hunt, I will not move for 30 minutes after a shot
If i shoot a hog and it drops right there ( i only neck shot) ill get down asap.
If the pig runs and i hear a crash i wait 20 mins. (Only had one run ever during bow season)
Deer neck shot im down asap.
Deer runs and crashes 20 mins.
Allways look at the eyes as you walk to your animal. A dead animal has eyes wide open, closed eyes either back away or hand gun shot it to finish it.
