RE: what the hell is going on
Reb's probably right, a leg shot! With lots of blood loss, he's a gonner! The best thing to do in this type of situation, is to back off, and let 'em lay down, and bleed out!
I learned this the hard way! Probably my best tracking job ever! Except, I didn't recover the deer! Tracked it most of the day, over two miles and through water! First I had a good trail, then in the end, I had a drop here, and there, until I finally lost it completly! Don't push 'em!