I shot my first deer/buck this morning and lost the blood trail. It just went away. I had a broadside shot at 17yds and felt very confident about the shot. I watched the deer turn and run but I almost swear his tail was tucked. I gave 40 minutes, got down to retrieve arrow and take note of the blood as to whether I wanted to track imediatly or wait some more. Found broadhead end of arrow with blood on it but I smelled it and it kinda smelled like paunch. I found blood trail with blood on both sides of deer (small amount on entrance side and baseball size spots on exit side). The blood was bright red some places and bright and dark in others. I decided that I would track more due to the color of blood, thinking maybe muscle hit being I did not find fletching half of arrow. Anyway, I jumped "A" deer, whether the one I shot I do not know. The blood trail did not go in that direction but close to it. Tracked more and blood indeed went away from where deer was jumped. Spooked "Another" deer in the process. Whether the one I shot I do not know. Blood did not go in that direction either. Kept tracking, blood ran out. Kept looking. Went across fence into cutover and totally by accident found another drop. Kept tracking. Made loop thru cutover and started going back in direction of hunting area. Pine straw tracking and only found 2 drops after entering pine straw. I went home as I am exhausted. Eat lunch, wait an hour, head back out. I goback to the last blood and follow direction it headed before running out. Crossed fence, went back and forth in pine orchard and walke fencerow. Nothing. Went back to blood and started grid search. Searched for another 1.5 hrs. Nothing. Went back home, back to shot site and grid searched about 2 acres around a pond. Nothing. I am sick. I will have a hard time sleeping tonight. I guess I may go back tomorrow. Kinda discouraged and really don't know where to go next. Now, let the basting begin or maybe sympathy or maybe any good advice please.

LT