I don't knowthat I'veever heard a deer snort or wheeze after it was hit - I have heard others snort close by afterIhitone any chance of a different one snorting and the one you were shooting at going a different direction - you did say it was pretty thick.
But if the one you were shooting atwasstanding there snorting, wheezing or whatever, you would have found some blood if it was hit.