I hate to say this but I did this same thing last year. I thought the deer (in the field) was farther out. I went high above the spine. I got the doe on a trail cam about 2 weeks later and you could see right where I hit her. I am sure she did just fine. I now have yardage markers in the field for this. In the woods I always seem to do just fine. I hope your friend gets another chance.