I have never had one kick like that but it sure does sound like a hit to me..I have had them jump straight up before running though and that proved to be a hit...
I had a deer do that to my cousin when it was gut-shot chased it for a day straight.
I have never needed to give chase like that, but we have very little hunting pressure in most places here. We can let them run off and wait for an hour or longer before looking for it..