Thread: What am I doing wrong?!

One last wee trick I use when you've actually connected and pretty sure you've hit the animal and didn't hear it bush bash off into the distance.

I carry a extra cheap $2 shop fluro vest that I after the shot and safety'd the rifle wander up to the spot where the deer bullet impact was and leave this above head height in the tree. A couple of reasons if you have got a solid hit and its gone a few meters it gives you a visual reference point to start a grid radiating search pattern out for the animals body. Secondly if I've hauled a animal out of crap to field dress and set up for carry and Its close to a trail or track I'll wander back and put that on the trail incase any other person pops along while I'm cleaning up the animal and sees the deer and not me - a bit anal I know but it gives me piece of mind. I ve had hunters see the vest on the track and make themselves known or I'll call out if I hear them talking about it.

Lastly If you get a solid shot and she runs as can often happen with a heart shot (rush of Adrenaline perhaps) they'll go for a bit. I sit down and listen for the crashing and direction approx direction log it in the GPS or compass and walk the bearing and check the reverse bearing about 20-30 mins later, then I start the Fluro vest grid search same as above. Works pretty well you'll generally get a blood trail or crushed bush as sign to help but this works quite well especially if you don't have a dog.

Hope this helps you with your first in the bush!!