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Major Organs

1. Heart Shot 

  • Mechanism of injury:
    The heart is a muscular pump supplying blood throughout the body. A broadhead or bullet through the heart causes rapid exsanguination (blood loss) and loss of blood pressure. Oxygenated blood can’t reach the brain and muscles.

  • Time to death:
    Usually within seconds to a minute. Deer often sprint a short distance (30–100 yards) due to adrenaline before collapsing.

  • Wait time before tracking:
    30 mins - 1 hour. This ensures the deer expires and reduces the risk of bumping it while it’s in its death sprint.

 

2. Double-Lung Shot

  • Mechanism of injury:
    Both lungs are punctured, preventing oxygen exchange. Blood fills the chest cavity (hemothorax/pneumothorax). Brain and muscles are deprived of oxygen.

  • Time to death:
    Usually 15 seconds to 2 minutes. Deer may run hard, then crash within 50–200 yards.

  • Wait time before tracking:
    2 hours; Often you can safely start earlier, but it’s wise to err on the cautious side.

 

3. Single-Lung Shot

  • Mechanism of injury:
    One lung is damaged but the other may function enough to keep the deer alive indefinitely. The animal suffers internal bleeding and collapsed lung pressure on one side. This is generally a low probability for recovery but death can result from the injury The lung hit will present with blood that seems watery and pink with very small bubbles mixed usually with bright red blood from the muscular areas surrounding it such as the shoulder

  • Time to death:
    Variable — can vary from minutes to hours to days. Deer may bed and die slowly, or in some most survive indefinitely.

  • Wait time before tracking:
    4–6 hours, ideally overnight if temperatures allow. Rushing almost always pushes the deer farther.

 

4. Liver Shot

  • Mechanism of injury:
    The liver is highly vascular (full of blood vessels). A hit causes heavy internal bleeding but not as immediate as a heart/lung shot. Death occurs from exsanguination and shock. The liver is a very easy shot to identify. Usually the blood will be a much darker if not almost black color due to low oxygen saturation. The deer will usually hunch and not run full speed with its tail down.  Often the deer will walk off slowly. A liver shot does not guarantee death but it does present a high probability

  • Time to death:
    Usually 30 minutes to 3–4 hours. Deer often bed down and die if not pressured.

  • Wait time before tracking:
    8-12 hours is recommended. Many hunters track liver hits the next morning if shot late in the day.

 

5. Lung + Liver Shot (Diagonal/Quartering)

  • Mechanism of injury:
    One lung compromised plus liver trauma. Oxygen deprivation combines with blood loss.

  • Time to death:
    Faster than a pure liver hit but slower than double lung — typically 3-4 hours.

  • Wait time before tracking:
    6-8 hours to be safe, 8-12 if blood sign is sparse.

 

6. Intestinal (Gut) Shot

  • Mechanism of injury:
    Arrow or bullet passes through the intestines. Injury causes peritonitis (infection from gut contents spilling into body cavity), shock, and slow bleeding. It is painful but slow to kill. Many times there will be little to no bleeding. The intestines will pack the wound in most cases and block the flow of blood. The deer will usually hunch and walk off slowly while bedding often. The arrow will be slimy and have a sour smell with occasional fecal matter

  • Time to death:
    Often 12 hours to 7 days 

  • Wait time before tracking:
    24-36 hours, Pressuring too soon nearly almost always results in the deer traveling long distances. Your best chance of recovery will be a slow progression with a follow up shot

 

7. Stomach Shot

  • Mechanism of injury:
    A shot through the rumen/stomach releases partially digested food, bacteria, and stomach matter into the abdominal cavity, leading to septic shock. Bleeding is limited compared to vital organ hits however there are arteries in the stomach and can lead to rapid blood loss. Arrow will often have an acidic smell but can sometimes smell sweet. There will usually be food matter or grit on it

  • Time to death:
    Very slow, often 8 – 24+ hours. Sometimes longer depending on hit angle.

  • Wait time before tracking:
    18–24 hours, almost always overnight. A bumped deer can survive long enough to leave the hunter empty-handed.

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Understanding the Vascular System in Whitetail Deer

The vascular system — the network of arteries, veins, and capillaries — is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood throughout a deer’s body. When a hunter makes a shot, the ultimate goal is a quick and ethical recovery, which depends heavily on disrupting this system.

Major Arteries and Blood Vessels

The most vital arteries in a whitetail’s body include:

  • Aorta: The main artery leaving the heart, branching into smaller vessels that supply the lungs, liver, kidneys, and muscles.

  • Carotid Arteries: Run along both sides of the neck, carrying oxygenated blood to the head and brain.

  • Pulmonary Arteries and Veins: Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide within the lungs.

  • Femoral Arteries: Found in the upper inner hind legs, supplying blood to the lower limbs.

  • Subclavian Arteries: Branch off the aorta, running beneath the shoulders and supplying the front legs and chest area.

When any of these major vessels are severed, the deer will lose blood pressure rapidly, leading to unconsciousness and death within seconds to minutes — even if the heart itself is not directly struck.

Why Vascular Hits Matter

A deer can expire quickly from a major arterial hit because of catastrophic blood loss. These shots may present with:

  • Bright, frothy red blood if a lung or pulmonary vessel is hit.

  • Steady streams or sprays of bright red blood from high-pressure arteries.

  • Shorter recovery times, as the animal often collapses within 40–100 yards depending on shot placement and adrenaline response.

Examples of Effective Vascular Hits

  • Double-lung shots often sever multiple pulmonary vessels, leading to massive internal bleeding and quick expiration.

  • High-shoulder or “heart-lung” shots may catch the aorta or large arteries leaving the heart.

  • Neck shots, when executed precisely, can sever the carotid arteries or jugular veins — though they require exact placement and are not recommended for most hunters due to the risk of wounding.

Tracking Clues from Vascular Hits

  • Bright, abundant blood trails that begin quickly after impact usually indicate arterial damage.

  • Fine mist or spray on vegetation often suggests high-pressure bleeding from an artery rather than low-pressure venous bleeding.

  • Rapid weakening or stumbling in sight of the hunter is common when a main vessel is struck.

When in Doubt Back Out! 

Give your local Tracker a CALL!

Click the button below to find a tracker near you.

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