I just have to ask---why in h#ll did you go back after him when you saw him bedded, after you thought he was hit in the guts??

You should have just waited 6 more hours and recovered the dead deer. More than likely, if you hadn't kept bumping him, he would have probably died right there in that first bed.

I'm also questioning how bad you felt, considering you starting shooting at another deer the same evening, before exhausting your efforts looking for one you wounded.

Check the closest watering hole, that's probably where you'll find him. I would suggest in the future not shooting at another deer the same day you have a bad hit---personally, I think it's not wise---but moreso, your mind is still replaying that first shot and that wounded deer. Give yourself a day or two to check the emotions, and take a few practice rounds to reassure your mental state.

I'm also guessing that in 17 years you haven't had many gutshots, as you should wait at least 6-8 hours before even thinking about tracking these animals.

S&R