After you shoot a deer and you do not see it go down, how long should you wait before trailing?

• A. Half an hour
• B. 10 minutes
• C. 1 hour
• D. 2 hours

Answer: (A)

Waiting about thirty minutes before trailing a deer you didn’t see go down is the safe, practical approach. If the shot was mortal but you don’t see the deer fall, giving it time reduces the chance you’ll push a wounded animal farther away, into thick cover, or across terrain where you could lose the blood trail. A short pause also minimizes the risk of surprising or getting charged by a live, wounded animal. If the animal is mortally wounded, it may collapse within that window, making the search more likely to succeed. After the wait, begin a careful, methodical search from the last place you saw it, watching for blood trail and signs, and proceed slowly and safely.