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Gut Wrenching Ending

Specializedjon

Specializedjon

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Culleoka (Middle TN)
Had the pleasure of having @TNJones4530 out this afternoon to try and fill his freezer. The does showed up right on cue. His borrowed rifle was obviously off. After a quick rifle swap he put the smack down on a big doe. I saw the group of deer run off after his shot, one clearly hobbled and dangling her right leg. He backed out for about 30 min and we got the tractor and headlamps and headed out for a sure recovery. The fog rolled in quickly and was brutal to see through. Long story longer, we spent the next two hours searching our property and the two adjoining properties in almost zero visibility. Nothing. Just didn't make sense that she wasn't piled up just inside the tree line. As we all know, unfortunately this happens with hunting sometimes. We were frustrated and felt like we got gut punched. As with most hunts, we made some good memories and friendships in the process. TNJones is a top notch guy and I look forward to doing it again. Just thought I'd share the experience and remind everyone, it's not always about the size of the antlers or harvesting something.

I'm going to check again tomorrow morning just to get some closure for both of us. I'm sure she'll supper for the coyotes though.
 
Sounds like He needs to plan on some range time. Hate to lose one. Love tracking one , especially when the deer is found. Good of you to help another Hunter out.
 
Not being negative or judgemental in any way here. We've all been there. Just trying to solve the puzzle. What do you mean by "nailed it"? If so, could it have hit the shoulder and not penetrated? Lower leg shot? 243 is a great round, but not overly forgiving. Was the second shot rushed due to the rifle swap? Adrenaline flowing? Hopefully recovered or survives. I hate that feeling and the unkown. Best of luck and thanks for helping him.
 
I recall @catman529 killed a doe years ago that had recovered from tuberculosis, as a result of which its lungs somehow were tethered too the rib cage such that they couldn't deflate even if both were punctured by a bullet. Had he not anchored it with a high-shoulder shot, he likely would have never known.

Explanation in your friend's case may be considerably simpler (trigger pull, etc), but freak deer exist.
 
Specializedjon said:
Had the pleasure of having @TNJones4530 out this afternoon to try and fill his freezer. The does showed up right on cue. His borrowed rifle was obviously off. After a quick rifle swap he put the smack down on a big doe. I saw the group of deer run off after his shot, one clearly hobbled and dangling her right leg. He backed out for about 30 min and we got the tractor and headlamps and headed out for a sure recovery. The fog rolled in quickly and was brutal to see through. Long story longer, we spent the next two hours searching our property and the two adjoining properties in almost zero visibility. Nothing. Just didn't make sense that she wasn't piled up just inside the tree line. As we all know, unfortunately this happens with hunting sometimes. We were frustrated and felt like we got gut punched. As with most hunts, we made some good memories and friendships in the process. TNJones is a top notch guy and I look forward to doing it again. Just thought I'd share the experience and remind everyone, it's not always about the size of the antlers or harvesting something.

I'm going to check again tomorrow morning just to get some closure for both of us. I'm sure she'll supper for the coyotes though.
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Your top notch in my book brother !! Mighty fine gesture of letting a fellow hunter come to your property to hunt . I used to get really tore up about losing a deer to the point once I thought about quit hunting . I really can't say for sure but I give credit to the Lord anyway . It was like a voice inside my head that said " these other animals I created have to eat too , do not be dismayed the deer will not go to waste " . It really helped me so thought I'd share my revelation to me so appy or not ....
 
Snake said:
Your top notch in my book brother !! Mighty fine gesture of letting a fellow hunter come to your property to hunt . I used to get really tore up about losing a deer to the point once I thought about quit hunting . I really can't say for sure but I give credit to the Lord anyway . It was like a voice inside my head that said " these other animals I created have to eat too , do not be dismayed the deer will not go to waste " . It really helped me so thought I'd share my revelation to me so appy or not ....
Click to expand...
Thanks Snake. Well said
 

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