I hit a spike last week and experienced the same problems. I hit him a little high and forward up in the shoulder. My arrow penetratred to the fletching. I gave him about 1.5 hours and slowly/quietly started my search. I found no blood where he stood when I hit him in fact I found no blood fo about 40-50 yards. Once I found the blood there was a ppretty easy trail to follow for about 70 to 80 yards and then the blood stopped.....nothing! I then retreated for about another 2 hours before returning.

I started looking in small circles where I last found blood expangind about 3-4 feet each rotation.............nothing. I then expanded my search out about 100 yards in all directions.........nothing.

Having success in the past with a shoulder hit, I was confident that the deer was dead, not finding it was what makes me sick. In a matter of inches, you can have success or heart sinking failure....[:@]

I haave to agree w/ BGfisher........4" to 5" behind the shoulder is best. It allows a little more room for error!