Here it is not unussual to see a deer with a messed up joint from running through brush piles that loggers have left behind. I think this happens here in the winter months when they are being chased by coyotes. I also shot one that had a buckshot pellet embedded in it. Some fatty tissue developed around the bukshot and it must have sealed itself up. Because when I shot it. It was all healed up showing signs that the buckshot had to be in it at least a year or two before. So the answer is yes as long as vital organs are not hit.