Ask The Biologist

QUESTION: Last fall I arrowed a deer in the paunch. We waited about four hours before looking for it, then we jumped it and it ran off. We returned the following day with a dog, and after about six hours eventually found my deer about a half mile away in a creek bed. My question is, how long should you wait before following up on a gut shot? — Phil C.

ANSWER: The short answer is: as long as possible. Several years ago I paunched a deer and let it lay overnight. I returned the next day — more than 12 hours later — and tracked the deer to its bed, where it was still alive! Fortunately I was able to put another arrow in it. If possible, I would recommend waiting at least 12 hours if the deer was shot with an arrow, perhaps a little less if it’s shot with a gun.

A bow-shot deer typically dies from blood loss while a gun-shot deer dies from both blood loss and trauma. In the case of a paunch hit, the cause of death is usually septicemia — bacteria entering the blood stream. It is a long, slow process during which a deer can and will move a long way if pushed. They’ll also leave little or no blood trail to follow. However, they also get feverish and will often head to water, which might be why you found your deer in a creek bed.