help please

[punkrockerpj]

i rattled in a nice buck who came charging in this afternoon with his nose to the ground. i aimed at the shoulder and let the smoke ring out. looking back, I wish i tried to stop him to get his attention. the first shot stopped him and he put his tail between his legs and hunched down like a dog. i went to take the 2nd shot and click-- a misfire. both slugs, at about 40 yards in the bush. after the click he didnt take off but he did kind of saunter off where i could not hear him crash and did not hear him run off like deer do when spooked. waited and then checked the site where i shot. no blood. looked in the direction where i saw him take off and no blood trail.

I'm really hoping i missed him, but some nagging feeling is telling me i gutshot him. i spent about 20 minutes looking for blood and when i saw nothing, i packed up and left wondering if i hit him and he bed down somewhere. of course i went home and googled "gut shot, tail between legs, hunched down like dog" and of course a plethera of comments came up.

without dragging me through the mud for not putting him on the ground immediately with a slug or trying to stop him, what are your thoughts?
of course i'm going to be looking for him, but has anyone ever had a similar experience?

[higgy]

Possible brisket shot?! A little low maybe!? Wouldn't produce the blood a gut shot would in turn maybe why no blood. The fact he hunched like he did says you hit him. Thankfully dry night tonight, circle the spot extending your range on each rotation could travel fair distance before blod sign. If brisket he will be down. Guy in camp brisket shot couple of years ago and deer travelled half mile before down. Good luck, I know the sick feeling!

[jim]

You might need to be on hands and knees. Blood trails aren't always that evident. Start your search where you shot, to where you last saw him. Mark any blood with trail tape or toilet paper. Good luck.

[higgy]

Ya good call Jim, marker tape. Should be in every hunters pocket. We all intend to clean kill when we shoot but sometimes it unfortunately does not happen. Always mark your last spot of blood. Always nice to have a bud with you, spot blood, stop, find next blood. too many guys ground gets trampled and lose your blood. I never let anyone get ahead of me when tracking, take your time. weather on your side. blood will still be there tomorrow

[Brando]

Grid search the area in the light. Sometimes the body cavity fills up with blood first before coming out causing a delay in picking up blood splatter.

[DanO]

If you were on the ground when you shot the exit and entrance holes are pretty much level so he might not bleed until the level reaches one hole or the other. He'll be bleeding into his body. Sounds like you hit him for sure. Did you wait an hour after you shot to let him die? If you started looking right away he likely moved when he heard you. It's safe to take a good look now.

[sawbill]

Use toilet paper for your trailing markers. It picks up reflection immediately and so much better at night whereas red flagging tape doesn't (unless its reflector tape). Place it at chest height and use your flashlight to shine back and get an idea of a direction of travel. Hard to do this with flagging tape. The tp usually disintegrates after a period of time so theres no mess left behind.

[punkrockerpj]

thanks guys. i wish you were saying i missed. will let you know if i find anything as i would rather find this guy and tag him without the meat than to find a set of antlers a few months from now.

[Marker]

I have been there, know he feeling. You could call in a tracking dog if you do not find it, they will find it quickly:

http://biggamesearchon.com/

[Greenhorn]

A tracking dog is the way to go. Good luck.