Shot a Deer? Here’s How Long to Wait Before Tracking!

A well-placed shot on a deer leads to a quick and easy recovery. But like most things in life and art, bowhunting doesn’t always go as planned, and arrows don’t always hit where you want them to. This is where patience and experience come into play. What you do after the shot will largely determine your success as a bowhunter.

Wildlife artist Ryan Kirby uses his white-tailed deer anatomy art and breaks down everything you need to know about a whitetail’s vital organs and shot placement. Ryan focuses on how to identify the hit on a deer by looking at the arrow and what to do after the shot.

The Art of Hunting TM
Copyright Ryan Kirby Art & Illustration LLC

Podcast Equipment:
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Video Equipment:
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[Uniguesser]

Thank goodness I found this video!!! Me and the deer were watching this together to find out what to do next.

[Lentuttle]

Hands down, without a SINGLE doubt in my mind, the BEST comprehensive video on this topic I've seen to date. I found this video looking for content to share with youth hunters in my class. This will absolutely be the capstone. I don't think it could have been explained any better. I need for you to know, that which you set out to accomplish by making this video, far exceeded your expectations. Excellent job. Top shelf!

[kevinr]

Very good video. One thing that is not covered here if you have a hard time finding blood and you know they jumped a fence or down a creek bank check where they may have landed at the landing spot. They tend to start bleeding in the landing spot or the blood trail is heavier in the spot they land. Great Art. You have a talent for sure.

[titus]

I don’t hunt. But this was pretty interesting and It was educational. You never know when you need to know this information.

[KurtKraszewski]

Well done Ryan. Been hunting for years and still found your overview well spoken, informative and loved the drawings. Very talented!!!

[silvanusasher]

Extremely informative! I've been toying with the idea of bow hunting and this info was exactly what I needed. Thank you sir!

[JacobRestituto]

This video was phenomenal. The artwork is beautiful also

[ChadFreemanFPS]

This is such a thorough video. I love the artwork and the blood examples. Should be part of hunter education.

[straubdavid]

This vid should be shown to every hunter ed. class across America.🦌🏹👍🏻

[thebonkman]

never watched a hunting vid and idk how i found this but im watching this while playing white knuckle and i love it

[boomerrangerron]

Ryan what a great job on this very thoroughly done video! This was an amazing analysis that certainly covered all the vital areas we strive to hit and the ones we hope to avoid. From my experience, the only other YouTube creator with this kind of knowledgeable assessment of deer (and hog) physiology is Troy Fowler on his Ranch Fiery channel. I had great success this season and did not lose a single deer. I found that the high heart shot that also hits both lungs is the best shot that takes a deer out fast! I have video footage that shows bucks dropping at around 25 yards after a clean pass-through shot with a good broadhead and a fast-flying arrow. I did lose one last year that I thought was a perfect heart shot, but I suspect after reviewing the footage, it was a very low heart shot, and I pushed her too soon! Thanks for sharing such great advice!

[jimmyeasyleft]

Wow, there's so much crap out there, and then I found this! I've taken quite a few deers with arrows, and still, I learned a lot in this video. Amazingly impressive! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, not only for the sake of us hunters but also for the sake of the animals.

[Carsonlehs]

I watch this video all the time because it’s so helpful

[shokthapublik]

You just earned a subscriber. Fascinating information. Thanks for the video!

[Demsrdumb]

Good info. I would just add, as someone who owns a tracking dog, if you think you’re going to need a dog then do not stomp all over the woods. Keep first and last blood marked and stay out until the dog gets there.

[FrankNaimon]

Be hunting 54 year shot many deer and video was spot on and not to old to learn new stuff thank-you

[Sol-ospk]

Wow, I know nothing about hunting, but this was really well made. Very informative and interesting to hear that you shouldn't immediately go after a deer that you've shot.

[terencegamble]

Really interesting and informative. Thank you from SW Scotland.

[bobboyer]

Great information. Only once did I leave a deer overnight and when I tracked it in the morning I found that the coyotes had beat me to the deer.

[Ara-..]

we dont have whitetail in my country, i dont even have my license yet, yet i still watch this 😭 same with spearfishing, dude why am i just on this side todat