Archery is already one of the most challenging forms of hunting, not to mention the difficulty in recovering the game you shoot. Even if you do everything perfectly and get a shot opportunity, your work has just begun. At the release of the arrow, you must stay focused on many things simultaneously to ensure a good recovery.
Stay Focused on the Shot
The first thing is to stay focused on the shot. Don’t look where the arrow hits; instead, listen to it. The sound the arrow makes when it hits the animal can tell you a lot about where it hit:
A loud crack could indicate a shoulder or large bone hit.
A hollow thud is most likely the chest cavity.
A thwap sound might suggest guts.
A chunk sound indicates a meat hit.
A double hollow thud followed by an arrow hitting leaves is probably a pass-through chest cavity.
Observe the Deer's Reaction
After listening to the arrow sounds, watch how the deer reacts:
High hind leg kick: Good chance of a heart hit.
Tearing off with tail down: Likely a lung hit.
Hunching up and walking away slowly: Possibly guts or liver. A liver-hit deer will usually walk away faster than a gut-hit deer.
Non-lethal hit: Usually runs off like a spooked deer but in a bit more of a hurry.
Stay Quiet and Listen
Stay focused and keep listening until you can’t hear any more sounds of the animal's retreat. Listen to whether it crashes just out of sight or keeps running for a long time. Was it crashing through the brush or running normally? A gut-shot deer would most likely bed down within the first hundred yards if not spooked. A liver-shot deer or even a one-lung-hit deer might run a short distance, then walk for quite a while.
Wait Before Tracking
Try not to make any noise for at least an hour on any deer you don’t see expire. If you see any sign of a poor hit or are unsure, it’s always best to sneak out of the woods to avoid bumping the animal. Even if all the sights and sounds tell you it was a good hit, always proceed with caution.
Examine the Arrow and Blood
Look for your arrow and blood where you hit the animal. If you don’t find either within ten or twenty yards, you should wait before going further. If you find the arrow, check it for clues:
Bright red blood or blood with bubbles: Likely a dead animal; start tracking after an hour.
Dark red, almost black blood: Probably a liver hit; wait a few hours before tracking.
Stomach matter or gut smell: At least a 24-hour wait.
Fat and white hair: Possibly a low shot; could be a long, fruitless track job.
Meaty tissue without a good blood trail: Similar result to a low shot.
Neck or ham hits: Not fatal unless a major artery is hit.
By using all your senses and taking good mental notes throughout the moments at and after the shot, you will have the best chance of recovering the game you have invested so much time and effort into. Keep your ears open this season and good luck!
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