Its always a shame to loose game,when in the field.As besides being good table fare,we look forward to this each year,all of us!! using a bow or rifle its all down to placement with our shots and i,ve always been a big believer of that!! Practice is the key for all of us. Most don,t find,or have time to do so. Big country,in the last few years i use 223,with a 70gr speer bullet.It really works great.I have shot many deer with this and quite a few wild hogs.Got a deer last week end on opener with it again.Hope your luck will have a better direction next time and im sure you were sick to loose that animal as well as the rest of us! We all do belong ot the Spoon and Crockpot club though!!! see yah vangunsmith