SB,
Sorry to hear this, man it's a tough situation and I can relate to your feelings. Get some rest and refresh your mind. Go out and take another look. Look and listen for crows, vultures etc. If it's down they'll find it.
If you don't find it maybe it will live.A wise old man once told me that these are hearty animals and can survive alot. If it doesn't it will not go to waste. Life and death is part of the mother natures world.
As for the part of dreading telling your son that you didn't recover the animal. If you tell him the story with the same emotion and sentiment that you expressed in your posting. He may actually gain a respect and admiration for your efforts and your dedication to the animal you hunt. This could be a lesson that he carries with him through his own hunting life and could teach him theemotions that we as hunters must deal with. This is something he may not have learned if it was aquick 1 shot kill.


HRAOP