The key to recovering paunch-shot deer is to back out quietly and wait.
QUESTION: I’m hoping you can settle an argument. A friend told me that he would not hesitate to gut-shoot a deer if it was the only shot he had because he knows he’ll recover it. I say it’s a poor shot choice due to the high probability of not recovering the animal. Who’s right?
ANSWER: There are always two sides to every story. Ethically, I would never recommend anyone intentionally shoot a deer in the paunch. It could mean a very long tracking job that, if not done correctly, will result in a lost deer. However, if you should unintentionally paunch a deer, all is not lost.
While deer can recover from some flesh and muscle wounds, a gut shot is always fatal, and death typically occurs within 12 hours. Furthermore, a gut-shot deer usually won’t go far unless it is disturbed.
If you know you’ve hit the deer in the paunch, back out as quietly as possible, and then wait as long as possible. Twelve hours is optimal, but if conditions warrant going back sooner, try to wait at least six hours before taking up the track. Then proceed slowly and carefully.
Gut-shot deer will bleed, and you might be able to follow the faint blood trail. Move slowly and quietly since the deer could still be alive. If so, there’s a good chance for a follow-up shot. An even better option is to enlist the aid of a tracking dog. Paunched deer are actually among the easiest for them to track.
It also helps if you know the lay of the land. Gut-shot deer will often, but not always, go to water.