Recovery of Big Game Animals Steps for a Successful Recovery

If a vitally-wounded animal does not drop:

• Mentally mark the exact location of where the animal was when you shot and where you last saw it
• Wait for at least 30 minutes to an hour before following it (bowhunters need to wait longer)
• While waiting, go over the shot in your mind
• What was the animal doing before you shot?
• What did the animal do when you shot and immediately after?
• Did the position of its tail or body change?
• Did you hear something that could indicate the direction the animal went or possibly where the animal went down?

Even if you're sure you didn't hit an animal check for:

• Blood
• Hair
• Bone chips near the spot where it was standing or running

Unusual running behavior after a shot may indicate that an animal has been hit.

Go SLOWLY and look carefully for signs of a hit. Look for blood and follow the trail if one is left. Approach the downed animal carefully from above and behind it's head, making sure the animal is dead. If the animal is not dead, humanely and quickly dispatch the animal with a well placed lethal shot.

Always assume you made your shot until you recover the animal or are absolutely certain of a clean miss.

Remember that dead animal's eyes are usually wide open.