Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010 - 57

from the stand will change in appearance the closer to the ground the hunter gets. The hunter should stop several times while descending the tree to check the changing view of the locations of the shot and the last place the deer was seen. How Long to Wait? This is an age-old question and depends on weather conditions and the type of hit. Although a deer hit through the heart or lungs can be followed up immediately, if there is any doubt, a wait of 30 minutes is reasonable, with the exception of a paunch hit, in which case a minimum wait of four to six hours is recommended, and longer if the weather permits. Begin the Search Begin the search where the deer was standing when the shot was taken, looking for evidence of hair, blood or possibly the arrow. If you find the arrow check it for hair and blood. The arrow could be covered with blood or may have only a few drops, depending upon the location of the hit. If you don’t find blood it does not necessarily mean you missed, as some hits will produce little, if any, immediate blood. Examine the ground closely for scuff marks, indicating the deer’s path of flight. You may have to follow this sign for some distance before finding blood. Marking all sign as you find it will provide a visual indication of the direction of travel and provide a reference point in the event the blood trail stops. For marking blood trails I use the surveyors’ tape I mentioned, fluorescent thumbtacks or Glow Clips, which are small orange plastic clips with a fluorescent dot on each side that can easily be clipped to small limbs along the trail. Always work from the side of the trail so as not to disturb the sign. If tracking with a partner, remain quiet and use hand signals to prevent spooking the deer, which could be bedded down nearby. While tracking, constantly search the terrain ahead for signs
OCTOBER 2010

of a downed deer. Blood Sign The type of blood found indicates the type of hit. Light-colored frothy blood with bubbles indicates a lung hit. A heart shot produces bright red blood, sometimes sprayed up to 18 inches from the trail. Blood sign from these types of hits normally increases as you follow the trail. (Deer can be followed immediately.) A liver or kidney hit produces small amounts of dark blood. The blood trail from these hits can be heavy or sparse, and may not show up for some distance from the hit. (Wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.) Dark blood mixed with digested material indicates a paunch hit. Although a paunch hit will be fatal, there will be little blood sign. External bleeding may stop completely, as the entry and exit holes plug up with digested food material. At the first sign of a paunch shot, stop. Your best chance to recover the animal is to wait as long as possible for it to expire. If pushed, a paunch shot deer can travel great distances, and with little or no blood sign to follow, may be impossible to locate. (Wait a minimum of 4 to 6 hours.) Blood found only in the hoof prints or right along the trail usually indicates a muscle hit. Pools of blood from a muscle hit will normally be found where a deer has stood, but little if any blood will be found when the deer is moving. If a muscle hit is suspected, examine the blood carefully. Blood that appears to be floating on a clear liquid indicates the possibility of a muscle hit. (The clear liquid is a product of the fat present in heavy muscle areas.) Deer Hair Long, course, dark hair indicates a high back hit, while long, fine, white hair comes from the belly. Side hair is short and brown with dark tips. Lower leg hair is short and reddish brown. Brisket hair is long, dark and twisted. As a general rule, the more hair you find the worse the hit, because it
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Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010