01/01/2026
We didn’t post many proof of life pictures this year, but number 54 of the year was rather unexpected. Cory and Duke tracked this buck just prior to rifle season. The buck was shot with a crossbow and a G5 montec, more on that broadhead later. At shot, there was gut matter with corn and milo. The hunters were able to track the deer about 400 yards, where there was a significant amount of blood and it appeared it got in a scuffle with coyotes. Cory and Duke then tracked it back 300 yards where the blood went to the edge of a deep river. That’s where the trail went cold. After checking for back tracks and then crossing, it’s like the deer vanished. Everyone said it was a dead deer, including Duke. They all thought the deer most likely died in the river and floated downstream, but they could not gain access until after rifle deer season. They covered all the ground and checked the river once they were allowed. They thought they seen it alive during rifle season, but we didn’t think it was possible given the amount of blood loss and gut matter at shot. However, 14 days after the deer was shot, they got a picture of it with a wound, which completely went against everything the sign said. Back to the G5 Montec, after our 3rd full time season of tracking, that is one broadhead that really stands out as far as poor performance. We have a ton of tracks with deer shot with them, and most result in head scratchers like this one. Deer that should be dead that live, deer shot twice in the guts with them still alive 48 hours later, or go unreal distances on a shot that they should be dead in 150 yards, or still alive 18+ hours with holes in both lungs. We get asked a lot about broadhead selection, we don’t have a favorite but will always advise to avoid that particular one.
