How To Find A Gut Shot Deer!

In this episode of Bowhunter Die, we sit down with professional tracker John Engelken for part one of this mini-series discussing deer recovery. Join us as John shares his extensive experience tracking hundreds of deer and provides expert advice on how to handle a gut shot situation. We discuss the best practices for waiting, tracking, and the mistakes hunters make when they move in too quickly after a bad shot. John also dispels common myths and shares real-life tracking stories to help you recover your deer more successfully.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter or new to bowhunting, this episode is packed with valuable insights that can make all the difference in recovering your animal. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how long to wait after a gut shot or what signs to look for when tracking, this is a must-watch.

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00:00 - Welcome and Introduction
00:20 - Introducing John the Tracker
01:06 - Common Bowhunting Tracking Scenarios
01:19 - Gut Shot Discussion Begins
02:50 - Importance of Recovery Techniques
04:25 - Mistakes Hunters Make with Gut Shots
05:11 - How Long Should You Wait to Track a Gut Shot Deer?
06:44 - Hunting Story: Waiting Before Tracking
08:19 - Better Safe Than Sorry: Waiting 12-24 Hours
09:14 - Balancing Weather, Time, and Property Lines
10:06 - Debunking Common Deer Tracking Myths
10:41 - How Many Tracks Has John Been On?
11:19 - Tracking Patterns John Has Observed
12:02 - Do Deer Go to Water After a Gut Shot?
13:59 - Wrapping Up Gut Shot Recovery Tips
15:19 - When to Call a Deer Tracking Dog
17:39 - Final Thoughts: Mechanical vs Fixed Blade Broadheads