When it comes to hunting, a lot of things go into the sport. One of the most important aspects is ensuring you kill your prey quickly and humanely.
This means that you must ensure you hit your target with precision. Unfortunately, even with the best aim, accidents can happen. What happens if you shoot a deer but only wound it?
Many hunters will find themselves in a situation where they only wound a deer, leaving it to take off into the woods. Will it be able to survive? Read on to find out
What Happens if you Shoot a Deer but only Wound it?
One of the most important things to remember when you’re hunting is to take a clean shot, and if you’re not 100% confident in your ability to make a clean shot, it’s better to hold off until you get a better chance. But things happen, the deer ducks, equipment doesn’t work correctly, and so on.
Depending on where you hit the deer, allow several hours from the time of impact before blood trailing. In most situations, the deer will die quickly if you’ve hit it in a lethal spot. If you believe the deer has gone down but can’t find it, resist the urge to follow immediately after the shot.
More likely than not, the deer dies within 100 yards of where it was standing when shot. Give it time, and be patient. For further info, read this great article written by Josh Honeycutt:
https://www.bowhunting.com/bowhunt101/7-bad-shots-hunters-make-and-what-to-do-when-they-happen/
Will the Deer Survive if you only Wound it?
This depends on where you hit the deer. An arrow to the heart or lungs almost always results in a clean kill. If you hit the liver, a deer will probably die within the next five hours or so. A paunch shot will result in a slow and painful death, but the deer will eventually die.
If you hit the neck or the legs, the deer will probably survive – Try to get another arrow in the deer as soon as possible.
Deer Kill Zone
Ideally, try hitting the deer in the kill zone. A deer’s kill zone contains several vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, and liver. At the rear of this zone is the diaphragm, which separates the heart, lungs, and liver from the stomach and intestines. Diaphragm function depends on the integrity of this thin muscular wall, making it a vital organ.
What can you expect if your shot falls outside this “kill zone”? Even though any shot outside a deer’s kill zone isn’t ideal, the exact consequences are situational. While some shots that fall outside the kill zone still kill, others are primarily superficial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will It Take For An Animal To Die From an Arrow?
The timing will vary, but it can take as little as a few seconds to kill the animal if you have hit the vital organs. In contrast, if your aim has not been successful, the deer could continue to live for hours.
This can also depend on the size of the creature, as bigger animals will take longer to bleed out than smaller ones.
Can Deers Feel?
Yes, research has shown that deers experience feelings, including pain. This is why some people are reluctant to hunt animals, deers. Of course, it is entirely up to you to decide your ethical stance on this debate.
Closing Remarks
While it should always be your goal to take a clean shot and avoid only wounding your prey, accidents can happen. If you do wound the deer, be patient and give it time before tracking it. Depending on where you hit the deer, it may die quickly or slowly. If you want to increase your chances of a clean kill, aim for the deer’s kill zone.
