Without question, the portion of deer hit and not recovered in bowhunting is much higher than it is in gun hunting. That's just the reality of the sport. So the dilema sooner or later becomes how to justify the certainty of inflicting more pain and suffering vs. less should should bow hunting be eliminated. I don't have a good answer for that. All I know is that I love bow hunting with a passion and would be sick if it were ever to be banned. I'm not however going to pretend that it is necessary because it isn't. I'm also not going to pretend that the rate of cripling losses are anywhere near as low as in gun hunting because they're not. All I can do is my best to maximize the possibility that I make a good high percentage shot and accept the fact that now and then things will go wrong. I can only take solice in the idea that all things considered, natures way offers a far cruler scenario.