So, I shot it at 55 yards with 3" magnum buckshot, and his butt spun around, he fell down, and my gun malfunctioned. I had to push the release lever to chamber another round, which really sucks. So, we found a blood trail and tracked him for 2 hours, the blood trail stopped about 50 yards from where I put him down at. He came over a hill after the 1st shot, down a ravine, and back away from me, walkin waaay slower than he should have been. I let off 3 more rounds of buckshot @ 75 yrds, and growing, everytime having to push that damn button. Tracking led to no recovery. The brush was really thick, and we checked by the two ponds which is where he was headed, but no luck. I am really sick of tracking blood trails, with no recovery. Very discouraged about this POS Stevens pump 12 gauge. It has about 12 rounds thru it only.

as far as losing blood,i personally wont use buckshot.
slugs only,clean hard hit or clean miss,just my 2 cents.
sorry to hear about the lost buck, better luck next time.
50 yards and longer is a long poke with shot.

A: I dont like buckshot for deer, to many "ifs" (yes, I've used it in the past)

B: Sounds like you hit him hard, I'd look again tomorrow, (plenty cold enought to leave overnight) go down every possible escape route, "bucks use the little trails" and keep in mind that a wounded deer can travel a long distance, and if they have their wits about them, they will circle before laying down, and watch their back-trail....looking for you.

C: If you do this, and you end up jumping him, he's probly gonna be fine (or if your ready you can seal the deal)

D: Not saying that I know it all, because I don't. BUT, I've tracked MANY deer in my life, and I just pass along what I've seen, and what I know.

Have to agree with the other guys here. Buckshot is not for deer hunting, Period! But, you have hit 1, and have the obligation of collecting him/her. fill your gun up, and grab as many buddies as you can find, and start combing the area. you will find him within 1/4 mile, unless you jumped him again. Try to make the process as organized as possible, and just like a properly trained dog, go from the last blood in ever increasing circles until you find him. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Out here the only thing we use buckshot for is yotes. Perry and Dana gave some good advise get out there with some buddies and give it another try on finding him. Good luck and hope to see some pics.

Thank You everyone! Sorry I wasn't om here to comment. But we went out again 2day. We looked some more, but to tell ya the truth my buddies really did not want to look too much, and it's their spot. We went to 3 more spots, and I shot, killed, and retrieved a different one 2day. He's not QUITE as big, but pics in a minute!!