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CSI Saddlehunter 2021-2022

DEER #3 180 - 200lb PA 8 point buck

WEAPON: PSE Evoke31 - 29"dl set at 62#'s shooting 585gr taw at 236fps, GT Hunter Pro 300 spine, 150gr Ethics ss inserts, Grizzlystik Samurai 125gr single bevel, 18.5%foc, If I draw on it, it dies confidence.

SHOT SITUATON: In an oak tree on my ros set at 25-27' high on a sunny 68 -72 degree afternoon. At 5:50pm a buck came into view from a touch over 30 yds out from behind young growth evergreens below me at 11 o'clock. He turned towards my direction and took a game trail that would lead him through this semi circle of evergreens and up to the hardwoods on the hill above my position. Instead of taking the trail right next to my tree he veered off on a tangent so he would be angling away from me and passing on the far side of this semi circle. He also seemed like he was walking with a purpose, like he had a destination and wanted to get there sooner rather than later. Realizing this I picked an opening between two trees at 23 yds and drew my bow. The opening was too small to try to stop him so when his vitals cleared the first tree I had my sight on him and released the arrow. The strong side shot was from 9 o'clock position.

SHOT REACTION: He mule kicked but only went 11 yds and stood under the last couple of trees separating the evergreens from the hardwoods. At first I thought I missed but from watching him while he was standing there I knew I hit him and I hit his liver. I've seen it often enough to know the signs of a liver hit deer. He arched his back, his tail was tucked, his head held low and his body did what looks to me like a subtle shudder or like a shiver when you are cold. And he just stood there in the fading light not moving for about 10 minutes. I ranged him at 34 yds and decided to try to put another arrow in him so I had to lower myself on my rappel rope tether about a foot so I could clear nearby branches. Well just as I released the arrow he took a step forward and I watched the arrow go under him. He did a sort of hop for a few steps and then made a right turn out of sight. I quietly cursed myself at this point for even attempting the second shot. Well no sooner did I start my grumblings did he walk back into view and drop down about 52 yds away in the hardwoods. I tried to keep an eye on him but it got too dark and I couldn't make him out or see his head position so I decided to slowly pack up and get down.

RECOVERY PROCESS: Walked over to the first arrow and found it buried in the ground covered in blood. Nice red blood and no gut smell, perfect. Also had a nice blood splatter at the impact area and a decent blood trail. Walked over to second arrow which was a clean miss and found a puddle of blood where he stood. Standing at that spot looking forward I saw him laying there watching me with his head low and resting on his left side leg/shoulder. I cleaned the dirt from the Black Hornet Ser-razor broadhead of the second arrow, ranged him at 18yds and sent it. Hit was perfect and at impact he lifted his head looking up to the sky then he laid his head down and I watched him take his last breathe.

FORENSIC ANALYSIS: First arrow was a complete pass through and all liver. The second arrow that I thought was a miss actually grazed his inner left thigh. The final shot took out a lung, severed important plumbing above the heart and broke his spine

TAKEAWAYS: The hit was further back than I expected which was due to taking the shot with him moving but it was either take the shot or watch him walk away. I've been taking shots at walking deer for a few years now and the hit is always back further than the aim point but it's always been lungs and/or liver being hit and they've all been recovered. The reaction when deer are hit in the liver can be compared to the reaction a boxer, it takes the fight completely out of them and they want to lay down right away. Knowing this and being able to identify liver hits along with having confidence in my ability to track and locate the animal hours or a day later allows me to take shots on walking animals.
 
DEER: Whitetail Doe, 100ish lbs, 3ish.

WEAPON: Bowtech Realm SS 65lbs 31” draw, 250 spine Black Carnivores w/ 150gr Magnus stinger buzzcuts and Ethics 200gr inserts, think I’m 20% foc for total weight of 650?


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You and are I shooting identical arrow setups including broadheads and inserts. It’s a devastating combo!
 
Deer: 195lb live weight Buck, Noth Central Ga

Weapon: Matthews VXR 31.5, 60lb draw weight at 28in

Arrow: Easton Axis standard (not match grade), 75 grain titanium insert, G5 mega meat 100 Grain. FOC 14%
I am super confident with this set up for the deer and the shots I take here in Georgia. I bow hunt all year on my city lease and have yet to have an issue with this set up. This is year #2 and deer #7 with this set up, complete pass through on every shot, furthest being 35 yards

Shot situation: Platform at 16ft, shot coming from approximately 20ft. He followed a doe into 12 yards, so the angle was pretty steep. He came from my 12 o'clock, plenty of time to settle down and draw while being concealed. He walked directly to my 10 o'clock and the shot was free from all obstructions.

Shot Reaction: Hellacious mule kick, ran down into a ditch heading towards an open power line, made a U-turn back towards thick bedding. When he popped out of the ditch, he bounded 3 times through some bryers and stopped. He died where he stood, which was 40 yards from the shot but he ran probably 60 on his route.

Recovery Process: The deer died in sight, but followed blood for the fun. Arrow was covered in good blood (obviously) and buried about 5 inches in the dirt. Broad head was fully expanded with blood and meat in the blade channels so I know that it did not open when it hit the ground. Blood trail was like a paint bucket being dumped out.

Analysis: The arrow landed directly in the pocket behind his shoulder half way up the body, could not choose a more perfect point of aim. Due to the angle, the arrow exited lower on the body, even with his elbow on the opposite side. Field dressing showed the arrow ran slap through the small end of the heart at the downward angle I described.

Take aways: For the first time this year, I vividly remember slowing down, burying the pin, wrapping my finger around the trigger and squeezing off. Shot placement is the most important aspect of all.EB840CEA-95BC-4F7F-9C97-1C562DA06B21_1_105_c.jpegB00EE653-6354-4046-A886-7C3FB71C955B_1_105_c.jpeg
 
DEER: mature Florida doe, 118lbs live weight

WEAPON: Quest Thrive 34"ATA; EZV sight; 29.5" Day Six HD300 4 fletch with Day Six 125gr EVOX and red firenock; arrow setup weighs about 550 gr with 11% FOC, 83 f/p KE. I am very confident of the bow but this was my first hunt with the EZV and arrow setup.

SHOT SITUATON: I was on the ground, tucked back about 10 feet from the edge of a mowed field using a low limbed oak for cover. 4 does came along the opposite edge of the field to my east about 32-35yds. This was directly into the sun about 45 minutes after sunrise so I missed the first doe. I saw the second doe, stood and came to full draw which is when she squatted to pee slightly quartered towards me. At this point I was confident she'd not drop further so I squeezed the shot off and watched/heard what looked to be a good shot.

SHOT REACTION: She immediately ran back to where she had come, but the low limbed oak blocked her from my view. I could see my arrow stuck in the ground using binocs. The other does didn't want to leave the edge of the field, so I had an idea she was down somewhere out of my view.

RECOVERY PROCESS: After about 10 minutes, I walked over to check the arrow and found it covered in bubbly lung blood. I slowly peaked around the corner of the field into the dogleg of the field and saw her about 30yds away and dead. There was a very heavy dew and I did not look much for the blood trail since I could see her on the ground.

FORENSIC ANALYSIS: Arrow went in at C2 just inside the front shoulder and exited at C4 behind the opposite shoulder. The arrow caught both lungs and heart.

TAKEAWAYS: I was impressed at the EZV and how easy it was to frame her, as well as how well the arrow and broadhead performed.

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DEER: button buck. 70 lbs estimated

WEAPON: Hickory Creek Mini Vertical Crossbow. Shooting a 380 grain arrow (100 grain Chinese Rage Hypodermic knockoff and 50 grain brass insert up front, 23" shaft, 300 spine, 8.6gpi, 14.7% FOC) at 324fps average generating right at 90 ft/lbs of KE "at the muzzle". Topped with a Burris FastFire III reflex site. High confidence in the setup. Have killed probably 10 or so deer plus hogs and 2 coyotes with it. I personally set up my own stuff and had faith that everything was functioning as it should and was "tuned."

SHOT SITUATON: 15 feet above and 20 yards from calm deer. Shot was to my 5 o'clock so I shot the deer left handed. Broadside shot

SHOT REACTION: I heard the arrow hit scapula. Deer dashed to the nearest thick cover with the front end low to the ground. Didnt make it. Collapsed and was dead in 20 yards

RECOVERY PROCESS: climb down, walk over, drag deer to canoe. Blood trail was scant. When I began to drag the deer it seemed like gallons of blood poured out of the lungs

FORENSIC ANALYSIS: both scapulas punctured. Top of both lungs severely compromised

TAKEAWAYS: me gusta

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Deer: faintly spotted fawn buck, maybe 50# live weight- like veal, but made of venison.

Weapon: HCA mini with stock DCA arrows, 100 grain Schwacker, AimPoint T1 micro red dot sighted dead nuts @ 27 yds.

Shot situation: in- laws 60 acre farm in TN. Cuzr XC, tether (JRB climbing method) @ 27’ high in a 6 tree poplar stand about 15 yards from a traditional creek crossing into a 40 yard wide field bottom leading to a Harwood ridge. Basically, it’s a dead deer walking, all appeals have been exhausted, death sentence zone. Had been in the tree since 6:30. Socked in with no visibility fog until 9:15. Hadn’t seen a deer until 11:02. Two deer spotted in the upper field and got ready. 5 minutes later, two fawns walked directly under me. I waited until the second one was 15 yards at my7:00, hard quartering away and let the mini eat. Shot entered at about A7 and exited at C1. Arrow buried about 12” in the ground.

Deer reaction: he ran like his best friend had invited him over for video games and proceeded to grab his wiener and make deep, longing eye contact. ie; he was surprised.

Recovery process: deer ran about 20 yards back to creek and crashed.

Forensic analysis: so much carnage. See picture.

Takeaways: pinch points are key on small parcels where you can’t afford to bump deer. This was probably about the 20th deer I have killed within 50 yards of this spot.

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EDIT: broadhead spun true. Replaced blades and put back in quiver as #1 arrow
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalkj
 
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I think there needs to be an added " what condition is the broadhead" and pic if available..
I'm cool with seeing that. I can edit and post pics of yesterday's head.

I also want to encourage folks to post up weight, speed, KE, and momentum if they can in lieu of draw length, poundage, and bow.
 
DEER: Hog, actually. Big boar hog with decent cutters and a nice shield. Big as me for sure, probably bigger, and I'm sitting chunky at 220 right now. He was the 2nd biggest pig I've ever shot and the biggest I ever killed with a broadhead

WEAPON: Hickory Creek Mini Vertical Crossbow. Shooting a 380 grain arrow (100 grain Chinese Rage Hypodermic knockoff and 50 grain brass insert up front, 23" shaft, 300 spine, 8.6gpi, 14.7% FOC) at 324fps average generating right at 90 ft/lbs of KE "at the muzzle". Topped with a Burris FastFire III reflex site. High confidence in the setup. Have killed probably 10 or so deer plus hogs and 2 coyotes with it. I personally set up my own stuff and had faith that everything was functioning as it should and was "tuned."

SHOT SITUATON: 8ft up in a tree. Boar approached calmly from my 11 o'clock and was shot at 10 yards. Quartering towards. I considered drilling the shoulder, but given that it was a big hog I opted to tuck the dot at the base of the neck.

SHOT REACTION: Ran in the direction of travel (downhill) in a sweeping arc for about 20 yards, spraying blood as he went. Ran out of steam, flipped head over butt, and that was that. Dead in seconds.

RECOVERY PROCESS: . Never made it out of sight. Walked straight to him, but the blood trail was hellacious.

FORENSIC ANALYSIS: Arrow impacted where I wanted it. Just forward of the near scapular on entry, and was stopped by the far side shoulder.

TAKEAWAYS: I had to be on-the-clock by 10am and had a long pack out and a boat ride, so I regrettably did not elect to perform an autopsy on the far side shoulder. I recovered the arrow and everything appeared to be in good condition. This is the 2nd time I have had an arrow not leave an exit wound at close range from a 150lb crossbow, and it's making me consider upping arrow weight despite recovering both animals inside of 50 yards.

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This is the 2nd time I have had an arrow not leave an exit wound at close range from a 150lb crossbow, and it's making me consider upping arrow weight despite recovering both animals inside of 50 yards.

This is the part I've always questioned. If you're getting successful kills inside of 50 yards, what is it that is making you consider changing the setup? Are you concerned that not having a pass-through with a less than ideal shot would prevent a good blood trail and thus not recovering the animal?
 
This is the part I've always questioned. If you're getting successful kills inside of 50 yards, what is it that is making you consider changing the setup? Are you concerned that not having a pass-through with a less than ideal shot would prevent a good blood trail and thus not recovering the animal?
Honestly? Probably has something to do with the illusory truth effect (information repeated overwhelmingly becomes accepted as true).

I've heard my whole life that exit wounds make better blood trails. Recently, I've heard the words penetration, momentum, shoulder bone, bone-breaking, etc repeated so much that it's impacting me against my will and better judgement. Despite having killed 43 deer and over a dozen hogs, mostly with broadheads, and without any real issues, it's seeping in.

I know that heavy shoulder bone blocks a very small percentage of what I count as vitals, especially if you're tree hunting. I know I've never had an issue with a near-side shoulder bone preventing me from killing an animal. I know that it's almost impossible to hit the far side shoulder on an animal and not inflict a devastating wound. I know that I'm hitting animals harder than most of the Ashby fairies are. But I'm regrettably human and my brain is just as stupid as anybody else's can be.

Also, I just found out that DCA will install 200 grain inserts cheaper than what I can buy them for separately. So it's easy and it wouldn't really hurt anything.
 
That's why this forum in general and this thread specifically is so valuable.

I'm a new bowhunter who thinks he's doing it right but ignorance is bliss. What I don't know based on lack of knowledge and experience is what things truly need to be improved vs. "keeping up with the Jones's". Threads like this and my sole data point allows for making those decisions.
 
Honestly? Probably has something to do with the illusory truth effect (information repeated overwhelmingly becomes accepted as true).

I've heard my whole life that exit wounds make better blood trails. Recently, I've heard the words penetration, momentum, shoulder bone, bone-breaking, etc repeated so much that it's impacting me against my will and better judgement. Despite having killed 43 deer and over a dozen hogs, mostly with broadheads, and without any real issues, it's seeping in.

I know that heavy shoulder bone blocks a very small percentage of what I count as vitals, especially if you're tree hunting. I know I've never had an issue with a near-side shoulder bone preventing me from killing an animal. I know that it's almost impossible to hit the far side shoulder on an animal and not inflict a devastating wound. I know that I'm hitting animals harder than most of the Ashby fairies are. But I'm regrettably human and my brain is just as stupid as anybody else's can be.

Also, I just found out that DCA will install 200 grain inserts cheaper than what I can buy them for separately. So it's easy and it wouldn't really hurt anything.

Tell me more about the 200 grain inserts. I have 5 good DCA arrows left, but I might consider the switch when I get down to 2 or 3. If it changes my point blank range from 27 to 25 yards, I can live with that.
 
Tell me more about the 200 grain inserts. I have 5 good DCA arrows left, but I might consider the switch when I get down to 2 or 3. If it changes my point blank range from 27 to 25 yards, I can live with that.
Not much to tell. DCA now offers Ethics inserts as an option when you go to build arrows. Cheaper to get them installed by them than to order and pay a whole nuther shipping charge buying them from Ethics.
 
Deer was 17 yards and shot from the ground. Bow setup as follows.
  • Diamond infinite edge pro (310 ibo speed)
  • 26.5" draw length
  • 57# draw weight
  • 175 grain grizzlystik samurai (the lower cost red version) with total arrow weight of 583 grains (estimated speed of 183/fps)
  • 17" yard shot
  • Deer curved, running towards me (ran approximately 40 yards total) and was dead in less than 10 seconds. Arrow broke off on the exit side and I lost the broadhead. I heard it expire and didn't wait to track.
Funny thing is I use the EZV site (not pro mode) and didn't even think to look at the dots before I shot. Just lined the V up and let the arrow fly.

Forgive all the hair, I won't be doing gutless method again :)

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DEER: sex, weight, size, etc 2.5 year old whitetail Buck, Est. 135-155lbs dressed,

WEAPON: bow/gun, arrow setup (include FOC, KE, broadhead, and as much info as you can), site, and how confident you are in the rig and its setup
Darton Spectra E set at 61lbs DW; 27" DL; 532 grains TAW; 21.7% FOC; 250 fps arrow speed; VPA 150gr. 3 blade, 100gr. ethics ss inserts, 3 fletch zingers , right helical, 6 degree for larger fixed heads, MBG Ascent Whitetail single pin sight set at 25 yards (allows me to hold at "C4" out to 32 yards) very confident with this bow. I wanted a fast bow at a reasonable draw weight that is smooth. Love shooting this bow. Faster than my Chill R by 7 fps.

SHOT SITUATON: how high you were, how far the deer was, how calm it was, light level, shot clear vs obstructed, shot angle, strong vs weak side, etc
18' high, deer was 5 yards right below me, deer was calm and walking, 3pm in the afternoon, clear shot, broadside to slight quartering toward, shot was at my 5 o'clock I had to swing around the front but it was a clear and easy shot in the saddle, stopped him with a long meh, aimed at the "point of his shoulder" it went a little more left than I wanted right into the ball of the shoulder area.
SHOT REACTION: deer jumped/ran/ducked,etc
At the shot the buck slightly~ momentarily hesitated then took off. His left leg and shoulder were noticeably broken as he ran about 40 yards, he stood and bled for several seconds and then laid down and died. The sound was not a pop but more of a audible crumble (think shoving a dowel stick into a bucket of quickrete but slightly starting to harden with the small stone in it making a crumbling sound)

RECOVERY PROCESS: blood trail, travel distance, recovery effort, etc
Easy~ peasy, the deer died in sight approximately 40 yards from the hit. Copious amounts of blood in such a short distance.

FORENSIC ANALYSIS: impact, pass-through, organs hit, bones broken, etc
See above description for the sound of the hit. The broadhead clearly went through the "ball of the shoulder" and still created two blood holes although it did not pass through because of the mass of bone it went through. It also managed to hit both lungs and scraped the bottom of the heart. With a mechanical, this would have been a wounded deer at the most in my opinion.

TAKEAWAYS: any valuable insights you gained from the kill
Once again, with my 27" draw length, I believe it is imperative for me to use a tough, coc fixed blade broadhead to be able to do the job quickly, humanely and efficiently no matter what may happen. I was trying to aim a bit further forward on purpose (B3) to get more of the pump house and network of arteries and everything feeding the heart and lungs and also hit the heart and front of lungs. I think it was a successful shot even though I hit the heavy lower shoulder bones though. I will aim a tad further back in the future.
 

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I could only post 10 pics so here are the rest of the pics that go with post with #37. I do know this VPA went through a lot of strong bone as the tip did slightly bend. I'm hoping I can sharpen that bend off and still be able to use that head but the rest of it looks in great shape considering what it went through.
 

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