Took a shot on a nice buck this evening at about 100 yds. My muzzleloader was about an inch high at 50 yds 2 weeks ago. I killed an 8 with it last weekend and will be shooting again to double check. Anyway he was broadside and about 10 yds away from the tree line in a field. I was hunting from the ground and bracing off my knee, a shot I've made multiple times before. I noticed myself shaking somewhat due to the size and surprise at the speed I found everything happening. Anyways long story short I pulled the trigger on what I felt was a good shot. Anyways once the smoke cleared I see him flagging me on a solid deer trail he must have entered from. I also notice that there are more than just him but couldn't make out what they were. He ran a spike off that was entering the field and that is when I first saw him so I'm assuming a hot doe. The only reason I am pretty positive it was him that I was drawn to running off was because I could see the white horns even from that distance. I looked for blood where he was standing, did circles, went into the woods where I saw him enter and no blood. To beat it all when I get up to look for blood I see him after he sees me and he must have circled back either confused or trying to find the hot doe. He takes off and blows at me, which I take as another sign I missed. To be honest, this could have been a different buck I guess but it looked like him at quick glance. Now I find myself wondering if my mind was playing tricks on me seeing him a second time and if he could have been a different deer.
The question I find myself asking is has anyone hit a deer to have it run off flagging and bounding? They usually tuck their tail and run if they have been hit good in my experience. I searched for blood for 1.5 hours and never found the first drop. It wasn't the most confident that I have ever been in a shot because I rushed it slightly but I've found dead deer with more difficult shots. I haven't missed many over my hunting years, can count on 1 hand in 25 years but this is the 2nd this year. I'm not sure if I am going through a slump, not consistent in loading practices, or what is going on.
Any insight is greatly appreciated and always appreciate the advice of other hunters. I'm shooting 100 gr, 295 power belts, hollow points.
The question I find myself asking is has anyone hit a deer to have it run off flagging and bounding? They usually tuck their tail and run if they have been hit good in my experience. I searched for blood for 1.5 hours and never found the first drop. It wasn't the most confident that I have ever been in a shot because I rushed it slightly but I've found dead deer with more difficult shots. I haven't missed many over my hunting years, can count on 1 hand in 25 years but this is the 2nd this year. I'm not sure if I am going through a slump, not consistent in loading practices, or what is going on.
Any insight is greatly appreciated and always appreciate the advice of other hunters. I'm shooting 100 gr, 295 power belts, hollow points.
