ridgerunner

I'll tell you how I do it- It's called 130 grains of hot lead! If I am more than a mile back in, I am not going to shoot a small buck, so if I've got a dead deer, chances are it's going to be nice, and on a Nov or Oct hunt, you need to get it out pretty quick, so the dogs usually wouldn't have time to find it anyway. Besides, there will be a big steaming gut pile just waiting for them to clean up!

Recurve, I hunted with my brothers on the Oct hunt in 31. They went 2 for 2 on small deer near the road. We saw one toad, but he was perty smart. He gave us a look and was gone. I have the Nov hunt. A few weeks ago, I packed four gallons of water 3 miles back in. I don't think I'll see to many people. I am back packing in Thursday and plan on staying "back", as long as it takes. I think your odds will be better away from the road, especially on the Nov hunt when the deer have been shot up already. Anyway, that spike ought to bone out to 20 lbs or so, that is an easy pack!