Misjudged the rain

[Cory Mattson]

Today was the last day of the NC season. The wind was right for a funnel at the top of a ridge so I went because the rain was forecast to stop 2pm to 5pm. It did! Which was great. 5:00 two does traveled through 15 yards away and I almost got drawn on one as they walked off. 5:15 a large doe came through and stopped 12 yards perfectly broadside. Arrow GONE and looked like a perfect shot.
It was raining but I didn't realize how steady it had become. Maybe because I was in a ground blind, maybe I just wasn't paying attention?
When I got to my arrow it was Stem to Stern Red.
Next I noticed there was way more water than I expected.
Just feet away there was blood but it was washing away rapidly
So I looked the direction she ran and walked 60 yards- threw my flashlight looking for white belly - Nothing!?
Quick back to my arrow- more carefully now I stayed on sign - some blood with lots of water
The trailing was difficult and intense for 50 yards
I noticed looking back I was Way Off on first look
Back on sign I marked the trail in case it washed out
Kept going and there was a lot more blood
50 more yards and I about stepped on the deer
Stone cold dead white belly hidden it was a perfect hit
I was relieved and happy.
Happy New Year

[woodchucker]

CONGRATULATIONS Cory!!!!! Persistence pays off....

[FITTER]

Congrats and what a great way to start the year!!!

[durp]

 

[Patknight]

wy to go man,   where are you at in Nc,,  ? Rain sux

[Hot Hap]

Good job

Hap

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Nice job

[Bisch]

Congrats!

Bisch

[TIM B]

Brought it down to the wire!!  Last minute success is great!
Tim B

[Roy from Pa]

 

[Wudstix]

Glad for you.  Always good to go back to point of impact when in doubt.

[GCook]

 Awesome Corey!  Glad you found her.  Congratulations!

[Lowrider]

Congratulations 👏! Great ending to a story I thought was going to end badly.

[elkken]

Nice shooting .... congrats

[George Tsoukalas]

Congratulations! Jawge

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats Corey

[huckbuck]

Nice job!!

[UrsusNil]

Whew! Glad you got her!

[Cory Mattson]

After sleeping on it two nights my take a way is I won't be doing that again. I am grateful for the outcome but it was on the edge and anything less than a perfect hit the deer might not have been found. Every animal taken with a stick bow is earned. Every animal taken with a bow is a blessing. I don't want to get cocky so I'm quitting while I'm ahead. I don't remember hunting in a steady rain before. So no more steady rain for me.
Thanks guys.

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[Tom1958]

Luminol is a good tool as a last resort to keep in our box of stuff.
For anyone who doesn't know what luminol is, it's a blood finding agent used in police forensic investigations. The stuff is pretty amazing. It finds microscopic blood residue that cannot be seen with the naked eye and it also finds blood that's been rained-out. In fact, it works even better after rain. You mix 2 tablets in water, or better yet...windshield washer fluid. Spray it on the suspected area after dark, use no lights. When luminol is sprayed on blood it will glow blue for a couple minutes. We've used it on test blood trails and even after a half inch of rain and ZERO visible blood, the trail glowed brightly.
It's not a gimmick. The stuff works but there is a learning curve to using it. I consider it a last resort tool. Hunters should still rely on the basics...ethical shots, sharp heads, and solid blood trailing skills. But sometimes stuff happens.
Luminol obviously can't find blood that isn't there. If the deer isn't bleeding externally, it can't help.
For about $25 you can get enough that (they claim) will trail ~400 yards, but it really would depend on how liberally you are spraying the mix.
This is where I bought mine...
blood glow.com