The Mule Kick

[Boogieman1]

Every deer I have ever arrowed that did the high mule kick was a very easy recovery. In fact now when I get one to mule kick I get a instant feeling of relief that the deer ain’t going far. I’m curious if this is just a coincidence. Has anyone else had a deer mule kick and was a tough recovery or possibly even no recovery?

[Lockdown]

Maddox’s 205 yard shot mule kicked like no other. Never found hair, blood, nothing. Not even a speck. 20 gauge accutip slug which I assume hit him in the brisket.

We watched him run for 250+ yards and searched the neighbors property very extensively. Knew exactly where he entered their land due to tracks in the field. Still not even a speck of blood.

[Bowhuntercoop]

One just over 100 total with the compound and recurves combined. Every mule kick with an arrow has been a short track. The gun is a different story, found them all but some have went quite a ways with a heart shot mule kick from a 223 to a 300 win mag.

[Elite]

Bull Winke’s “Big 7” did a mule kick after he shot him and he never recovered him. It’s typical to get the kick when you put the arrow around the heart region imo.

[Eddiegomes83]

The little 8 I shot earlier this year with a muzzy at 130ish yds mule kicked like crazy. I thought I smoked him. Didn't realize it was a bad shot until I went to where I shot and found bone and blood.

Turned out my shot was low and I shot him in both front legs As I was blood trailing I found him laying and had to finish him off.

I was always told mule kicked meant good shot. Not so in this case. But every other time was true.

[Jrdeerhuntr]

The one I got a couple weeks ago mule kicked and the shot appeared good. He went 10 yards and stopped. I put another right through the heart and he didn't go 10 yards. Upon inspection the first shot was high and appeared to clip the spine just above the cavity. Not sure if it was fatal, but the 2nd arrow made sure I wasn't chasing.

[Boogieman1]

Good feedback! In my case everyone that mule kicked had collapsed lungs. Either broadside or slight quartering away shot. Didn’t know if the kick was a sign of lung deflation.

I mean every deer I made a poor shot on and hit in the guts reacted exactly the same way. That tighten up umfff.

The reaction that really scares me is when the arrow appears to hit your mark but they put their head down and burn off 100mph. That is a 50/50 of being a long day for me.

[austin1990]

I've had the exact opposite experience. I've had4 I can think of mule kick, 2 were recovered, other 2 werent. Doe I shot this year with bow mule kicked hard, after looking at the arrow is was covered in gut matter, reviewed the shot footage and I hit her just in front of the hams through her guts. No idea how I shot so far off the mark, gave her 8 hours and found her dead.

Shot a big 6 with a rifle couple years ago and he mule kicked and I thought it was good. Trailed him right at 1/2 mile finding pieces of bone along the way. Ended up finding him 2 weeks later dead, shot through leg.

Shot a big buck with rifle, same thing, mule kicked and found pieces of bone and blood for about 200 yards. He lived and was killed the next season.

[Grizzlyadam]

Biggest mule kick deer that comes to mind was a doe I missed low.

[brancher147]

Only mule kick I can remember was never recovered. I believe it was one lung. I don’t see (or don’t remember?) many mule kicks

[upwind predator]

The mule kicks iv had all resulted in dead deer with short trails. I usually get it when there quartering away

[PK_]

You better go knock on wood or something…

[UntouchableNess]

Can't remember a single deer I shot that did a "mule kick". Just my experience.