Does a "mule kick" = a dead deer???

[Pullintoobs]

I wacked a decent 8 pointer tonight. I heard the hit and he mule kicked hard and took off. Heard him snap a few branches then a loud crashing then silence as he hauled through a thicket that borders crp. I found the arrow and covered with blood, but it was not stuck in the ground. Looked like nice bright blood on the fletching. I looked but could not find any blood trail as light faded. I dont know if he made it to the crp ( the silence I heard after the crash) or if the crash was him dying on the run.
In your experience does a mule kick indicate a good hit??? I will be back in the morning hoping I just missed the blood trail as it got dark within minutes. Hoping the rain holds off. Have you ever shot one that didnt leave a blood trail for several yards????

[Crazinamatese]

I would say he is dead where you last heard him.

[oldrank]

Nope.. just means they kicked. It is a better sign then them hunching up but doesn't guarantee anything...the bloody arrow is a great sign though..

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[Bowhunter4life]

I'm my experience the mule kick has always ended with a buck less than 200 yards laying dead. brother shot one that mule kicked and we never recovered it till shed season and found the rack and skull close to 3/4 mile from the shot. Sounds like by your description of the blood and arrow you have a dead deer. Good luck!

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[cbay]

Unfortunately it does not. Monday i one lunged a buck nearly under my stand, he mule kicked. Today he was following a doe (slowly) about a half mile from where i shot him.

[Pullintoobs]

I cant ever recall having one kick like that. I think he is dead where I heard him crash loudly, but nervous not finding a blood trail. Even though that is tough sometimes at the end of light. Good blood on the arrow has my confidence up, but I think rain is on the way.

[AntlerAddiction]

No..It just means you hit them low

[Beartown18]

I have had the mule kick mean a dead deer close and have never found some so I don't think it means anything.

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[Milk Weed Seed]

I like to think it is a good sign, but really it is just a reflex. Good luck tomorrow, and hope the rain holds off for you

[dan]

No, it does not automatically mean "dead deer" but, I also would say don''t worry about the lack of blood in short distance.. Thats common.

[HoosierG5]

I think a mule kick comes from natural defense especially if they are 1/4 ing away. A deers only defense on something from behind is to kick similar to a mule. Ive never shot a deer that is perfectly broadside or 1/4ing to me that kicks-they simply run. All deer Ive shot that have kicked have been found dead but they also got a problem in their boiler room.

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[SamPotter]

In my experience the mule kick basically means you hit him somewhere in the body between the front and rear leg. Lack of gut smell on the arrow should mean you hit him somewhere in the ribcage and should be dead. Good luck.

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[PLB]

No, it does not automatically mean "dead deer" but, I also would say don''t worry about the lack of blood in short distance.. Thats common.

X2 Good luck!!

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[buckmaster_b]

I've only had a few deer mule kick on me, all of which ended with a deer on the ground. I usually look at it as a good sign, but not a guarantee. With the kick, the bloody arrow, the limbs snapping and then a crash I'd say it sounds like a dead deer for sure.

I'd say 50% of my bow kills end with little to no blood trail, but I also watch most of my bow deer crash within sight.

I'd put my money on him laying right where you last heard him.

[JROD157]

The mule kick is a confidence booster for me, but not the end all. Your arrow covered in blood, resting on the ground and not sticking in the ground, is a good sign as well. you will find him.