Of all the things that I have seen that resulted in lost deer, two stand out.

First is buckshot. I know, I know, every person that has ever killed a deer with buckshot will tell me how wrong I am, but I have seen more lost deer w/ buckshot than anything else. It generally produces a poor blood trail and results in deer running off and not being found.

Second is neck shots. I have seen so many deer knocked down and "stunned" only to get up and run off while people are standing there watching that I refuse to take a neck shot unless it is the only option available. I may be wrong, but I think that many people shoot and knock down deer due to the stun effects on the spinal cord. After a few seconds, this effect wears off and despite what will probably be a mortal wound, the deer gets up and runs off. Just my opinion, but neck shots when taken need to be watched carefully and given a follow up shot quickly if needed.

Hank