I have never had a problem with deer killed with a bow. I think it's due to to time I wait before I start tracking. Even if I see the deer fall from my stand I wait plenty of time before I go to it.

NOW..... gun hunting is quite another story Last year I shot a nice 8point with my trusty H&R single shot slug gun at about 40yrd slightly quartering toward me. The slug went through the front shoulder, boiler room and out the otherside through mid rib. The deer ran (stumbled) 15-20 feet and fell. I'm thinking....good shot BigJ. Give it about twenty minuets or soand go get him.

I ate a Snicker bar and drank a little water, sat back and basked in the glory of yet another sucessfull hunt. Now mind you, I can just see part of the deer the whole time and he ain't moving one bit! I get down from my stand and start walking to the deer, my trusty H&R in hand and it's single shotchamber reloaded with the potent Winchester Supreme Silver tips. As I get about oh.......two feet from the deerI can see that he is laying on his side with his head toward me looking VERY lifeless.I reach with my gun andpoke him. Just then, he jumps onto his feet!Ijump back startled as all get out and proceed to put another round into him killing him dead on the spot.

I never in a thousand years would have thought that deer was alive.

Moral of the story.....Allways pokeIf I didn't and just knelt down I may have been hurt. For me at least It dosen't hurt to extend out your arm and give a poke as you get to your deer. It only takes a second and it's a pretty surefire way to tell if the deeris dead.