First, wait at least 20-30 minutes before you get out of the blind. Visualize your shot while you wait. If the deer makes a high jump or kick, it is most likely hit in its vitals. However, if the deer runs away and hunches down, you have made a stomach shot (or what hunters refer to as a gutshot). The deer will not go far if it is hit in the vitals. However, a gutshot will make them wait longer. Gut shots will likely cause the deer to go to sleep if it is given enough time. If you don’t, the deer will continue to hunt you further into the woods. This will increase your chances of it leaving your property. Be patient and you’ll get your trophy.
The second tip is that the color of your blood will tell you how short you were able to make and where you might have struck the deer. A red flashlight will be more helpful than a regular flashlight if you’re tracking in the dark. A bright, pink, bubbly, bubble-filled blood indicates that you have made a long shot. The deer will not go far if it is this color. Rich, vibrant, red blood means you shot near the heart or in an area with many blood vessels. Dark, crimson-colored blood indicates that you have made a kidney or liver shot. However, it is possible for blood signs to be very faint so please be patient. A yellowish-green tint indicates that you have made a stomach shot or gut shot.
The third tip is to look at the way the blood has dispersed. This will tell you how much of a chance it was. If blood is found in the tracks of a deer, it means that the deer has been walking. If blood is seen weaving along the trail, it means that the deer have probably bedded down and are about to die. A running deer’s blood will spray and splatter, and if it is large you may have hit a major artery. You should be looking at the trees and vegetation as well as the ground. You might miss the deer or something if you only look at the ground. Although you might not see any blood immediately, don’t lose heart. Follow the tracks to find the exact direction that the deer fled and you’ll soon see it.
Don’t just approach the deer. Check to make sure the eyes are not closed. The deer is likely to have died if its eyes are open. However, it is a good idea to check if they are still alive. Always be cautious when approaching a deer. Many hunters have witnessed deer leap up and run, causing injuries.
These tips will help you find your wounded deer. Make the most of your hunt, and make the right decision about when to track a deer. Good luck hunting, and remember to be safe. Also, know where your target is and what it’s doing behind it.
