this being a successful hunt is certainly debatable

[colin.704]

Well I did the deed and tried to make the best decisions I could afterwards, unfortunately it didn't work out that well. He was recovered 50hrs after the shot. I guess this is a better outcome than what I thought happened, which was wounding him. I got another post up that kind of runs through the events/ decisions. People were giving good advice, and some constructive criticisms. I feel we are here to help each other, bounce ideas around, and get these deer down and found quick. Sometimes we can do better

 

[Kurt]

I know how you feel. I had a similar result in 2019. It's heart breaking. I did manage to salvage the front half. yotes ate good that night. i recovered mine the next morning.

 

[DB4x4]

Tag him. Take the head. Do a euro mount. Go shoot some does for meat.

 

[neonomad]

I started hunting a good one in 2012, he got bigger in 2013 and then here’s him in 2014. Just before Thanksgiving I got a broadside shot at him at 30ish yards, I hadn’t shot my bow for a couple weeks, didn’t feel 100% and for better or worse I passed on him, only had a few seconds to decide. A few days later in gun season I did a slow drive for a newer hunter friend, buck popped up in front of me and ran his way… seconds later I hear two shots. His gun wasn’t sighted in well, wounded the deer at 30 yards, we never found it. Big lesson learned for me when inviting other people over to hunt. I’ll say I would MUCH have preferred to at least find his remains, as you did. At least it’s closure.

 

[Glenn]

Put your tag on him and take him home.

 

[DroptineKrazy]

He's yours now one way or the other. It doesn't matter now. Like others have suggested.Tag him, put his horns on the wall and go shoot some does. That should make you feel a little better.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

As others have said, euro mount him and learn what you can from the experience and do your best not to have a scenario like this play out again. I say do your best because that is all any of us mortals can do. Think about this also. Nothing goes to waste in nature. The meat wasn't wasted. You didn't get to use it, but dozens of other creatures shared in the bounty. If the buck had lived out his entire natural life and never encountered a human, this would have eventually been his fate. Even the rack would have disappeared within a few years due to squirrels.