Finding Wounded Deer by John Trout Jr.

I have that book around here somewhere, good stuff!

I bought that book many years ago. Have read it, and referred to certain chapters a few times over. Was interesting to see that Woody is the same Woody from the book.

True. Too true actually.

While still hunting with my muzzleloader I jumped a doe. I didn't want to shoot it. Seconds later I heard a shot and figured I'd wait a few minutes, then go see what was up. In less than five minutes I see a young hunter walking in my direction. He wore the look of disappointment that most hunters do after a miss. I asked if he shot and he said he missed. He was leaving to go check his gun. I asked if he was sure he missed, and he said "Well yeah, it ran off like nothing happened."

I suggested we go back and check to make sure. I told him to stand where he was, then tell me to stand where the deer was. I found hair only feet away. Then blood within 10 yds. Twenty minutes later his look of disappointment was gone, and he was wearing that look that hunters get when they are dragging 100 lbs of deer through the woods. I don't think he minded a bit.

He thought a deer should drop instantly or at least stumble off after a hit. "That's the way it happens on TV" he said. He also said he did look a minute for blood, but when he directed me to the spot the deer was standing he knew then that he had looked in the wrong spot.

The moral of the story I guess, is if you can mentor a young hunter, do it. Too many kids aren't even trying hunting. We need the ones that do hunt to stick with it, and I know that kid I helped for a half hour felt a whole lot better about hunting that night.

Lies... all lies...

I'm not sure how many deer I've shot, but it's been a few in the last 15+ years. Never have I had one drop immediately. But then again I haven't aimed at a shoulder or head either....