Bow Hunting Follow Up

Tip : Though most deer hunters need to know how to follow a blood trail, this ability is absolutely essential to bowhunters. Most bow-shot deer will run off, and you have to be able to find them.

Remember exactly where the deer was standing at the shot, which way it ran and where it was last seen. Also remember the deer's reaction to the shot. Did it kick and leap, hunch up, stagger û all are important clues.

Immediately after the shot don't do anything. Sit and listen quietly; sometimes you can hear the deer fall. After a few minutes, move slowly and quietly to where the deer was when the shot was taken. Look for blood, hair and most of all your arrow. Pink blood means a lung hit, red comes from the muscles and heart, dark indicates a gut or liver hit. Particularly in the latter case, wait at least an hour before taking up the trail. Many deer with less than perfect hits can be recovered with patience and good tracking technique.