If you make a marginal shot on a whitetail and are considering contacting a tracking dog, you need to be very deliberate in your actions after the shot. This will increase the likelihood of recovery. (Photo by NSC Photography, Shutterstock)
December 02, 2025
By Clint McCoy
In November 2017, I was perched up in a heavily covered hedge tree when I caught a glimpse of a familiar buck: a pretty 8-point sporting a double throat patch.
The buck approached to my left and what should have been a chip shot turned into a disaster. I rushed my shot, and it impacted directly into the buck’s shoulder. The buck whirled around and presented me a follow-up shot, and upon impact, the animal took off like a lightning bolt through dense cover. He stopped about 100 yards out and walked slowly to the north.
I was dejected, and I knew I was about to have a long evening. It had been cool and dry that day, but a cold front was to arrive after dark with freezing...
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