Abdominal Cavity

The abdominal cavity, on the other hand, is not an aiming zone.

• The abdominal cavity holds the stomach, kidneys, liver, and small and large intestines.
• When an arrow cuts open the stomach or intestines, the contents are spilled into the abdominal cavity. The bacteria and acids in the contents cause peritonitis, a severe inflammation of the cavity. The animal becomes sick and usually dies within 8 to 12 hours.
• There may be very little external blood loss, so tracking is very difficult. However, most animals that are gut shot don’t appear badly frightened or hurt. If undisturbed, they tend to travel a short distance and then lie down, where they may die.
• Even though the liver is located in the abdominal cavity, it is often hit in a quartering-away shot because of its size and location just behind the diaphragm. The arrow may pass through the front portion of the abdominal cavity and liver on its way to the chest cavity.