Arrow hits on bucks that’s leave no blood.

[WV Bowhunter]

One of my best bow bucks was shot a little high and hit shoulder. Ran off with a bunch of arrow still hanging out on the entry side. No exit hole. One of the toughest tracking jobs I’ve been on. Went off of tracks until I lost them and started making circles. After 125 yards or so he filled up with enough blood he bled out of the entry hole. Found him dead within 30 yards of where I found blood. Double lung with no exit but it was a tough track. Good luck on finding him.

[hambone]

Is there a possibility that you could have hit the tree? If so, that could have shut off or broke your illuminok. If you hit the deer, for sure, the loud thwack would be shoulder, as previously mentioned. High hits with no exit are tough. If you don't find blood, I would locate a tracking dog. Unless I see or hear the deer go down, I won't look for PM bow shot deer until the next morning. As long as conditions allow. Good luck finding your buck.

[Ghost Hunter]

Worth mentioning. My brother hit a buck about 10 years ago. He watched arrow go through animal at 10 yards. No Blood. So it does happen. I always play off reaction of deer. Good luck.

[Chuck B]

I would think that if you whacked a tree with your arrow, you would find the arrow stuck in the tree, and then you can cross a lot of stuff off. If you don't find it in the tree, search the ground really well and see if you can find that arrow. My bro in law shot a doe this weekend and the luminock didn't engage even though he double lunged the doe. If you can't find the arrow in the ground, clear your schedule, find a dog if possible and hope to find some blood. Good luck man!

[Tennhunter3]

One of the limbs I shot through deflected the arrow I found it this morning in a tree stump.

Let’s just say I guarantee that limb will never block another arrow.

Good news is I was on the bucks bad news is limbs are bad karma. Note to self prune the entire forest.

[stash59]

One of the limbs I shot through deflected the arrow I found it this morning in a tree stump.

Let’s just say I guarantee that limb will never block another arrow.

Good news is I was on the bucks bad news is limbs are bad karma. Note to self prune the entire forest.

Well at least you know "the rest of the story" now! Keep after it!!!!

[Horizontal Hunter]

A clean miss is always better than a bad hit. At least you know for sure what happened.

Bob

[oldrank]

A clean miss is always better than a bad hit. At least you know for sure what happened.

Bob

Yep, gimme a clean miss any day over a shoulder shot buck... Did it one time years ago. Not my idea of fun.

[Dewey]

A clean miss is always better than a bad hit. At least you know for sure what happened.

Bob

X2
I'll take a clean miss any day.

Now get out there and redeem yourself on an even bigger buck.

[Chuck B]

I would be very happy to have that closure if I was you. All good learning lessons. Get back in there and get him!

[AfootTrack56]

If you can, try to follow his tracks. It may be really tough, but it’s not a race. If he’s dead, he’ll be there when you get there. Look at everything. All you need is one drop of blood to confirm the hit. Don’t walk on his sign. Go track to track til you find him or determine he is indeed not hit. Best of luck.

[Dewey]

One of the limbs I shot through deflected the arrow I found it this morning in a tree stump.

Let’s just say I guarantee that limb will never block another arrow.

Good news is I was on the bucks bad news is limbs are bad karma. Note to self prune the entire forest.

Just to be clear is was a complete miss right? No blood on the arrow?

[AfootTrack56]

Luckiest buck in the woods on that day. I have a feeling he won’t be so lucky next time.

[Trout1]

Whew! Bummer on losing the buck. Glad he’s alive and well. Makes him even more of a target for you. Can’t wait to hear the rest of this story!

[may21581]

May be a silly question but was the lumenock new or used before? If new did you test it? I reused an arrow with a lumenock last year and shot two deer the same week. The second time around it never came on. After examining it I found it had blood in the contact preventing it from coming on.
Maybe try expanding your search area at night, those lumenocks sure stand out in the dark. If no luck maybe call in the dogs or a search party. Sounds like a shoulder shot but hard to tell. If the hole isn't open you wont see much blood.
And lastly if it is worth mucking things up check known bedding areas or check your cameras if using them. Good luck, been in your shoes before.