this past weekend i was lucky enough to shoot my first deer with my bow. the shot was a little high and grazed his backbone but also got a lung, soon as he was hit he dropped instantly and died within about 5 minutes. at the time i didn't realize my shot had been high and another deer came down the trail within 10 minutes after the first had expired under my stand, i aimed at the same spot and when i shot the second deer dropped like a rock then started crawling away on her front legs. i figured it was a spine shot and knocked another arrow and took a follow up shot at about 30 yards while she was crawling away and hit her in the shoulder blade where she stopped. i waited 15-20 minutes but although she laid there motionless she kept her head up looking away from me with her ears back. i couldn't wait any longer and got out of my stand and went over and held her down and cut her throat. i feel bad about not getting a quick kill and the suffering of the deer.

i keep tabs on this board frequently and haven't seen any topics i remember about spine shots. although definitly not desired is this half way common or am i in the minority for executing such a half-a$$ed shot? if this has happed to anyone how did you finish them off ...should i have just shot her again instead of cutting her throat?

any insight on how you have or would have handled the situation would be appreciated. thanks.