Thank you Chris for all the support.

I was able to advance the blood trail another 30 yards or so, but I did not find the deer.The trailsimply petered out. I trampled around doing circles down gradient from the last drop of blood...nothing. I finally returned to the point of origin. I figured if I could recover my arrow, I would have more to work with. I looked and looked. I finally locatedthe arrowsome thirty yards downrange from where the deer had been standing. It was stuck in a tree about 16 inches off the ground. All three blades (I shoot mechanicals) were deployed and each had bits and pieces of blood and meat attached. My arrow shaft was only three quarters blood soaked. The cock feather andone off featherwere saturated withblood. The puzzle was slowly being pieced together...

The only way my arrow could have gone that far down range...it must have been a glancing blow off the top of the deer-period.A low shot would have sent the arrow down and a solid pass through would have given me more blood on the arrow (and I do not believe it would have traveled the extra 30 yards). Two things have me confused though: 1) I saw blood on both sides of a trail and the blood looked as though it had been "pumped" out. 2) The blood on the left side of the trail was bright oxygenated lung blood. The reason I'm confused is simple. If I had hit under the spine, I'd have more blood on my arrow. If I had hit the top of the deer's back, then why the bright red lung blood? Boy, I would sure like to see this deer again. Only then will I have the answer...

I'm pretty sure this deer will survive. They're tough! You can bet I'll be watching for him-he's a dandy!

I passed on a small spike on my way back to the truck (still have three days left).

Chris (and everyone else for that matter), best of luck. I know your season opener is just around the corner. Score and score big will you!

Thanks again for your faith in me!