i'll admit (so that others can learn from my mistakes) that i "spined" a buck (in the base of the neck)last year, which was my first year bowhunting, and that was my first buck. well due to lack of experiance i thought he was dead/dying. well he wasnt and through a series of stand ups and fall downs he finally ran off before i could shoot him again. im about 75% sure he lived though, because a few hrs. later we spooked him and he had a big hemotoma on his neck, and he ran off like nothing was wrong. so....my advice to everone else that doesnt want to feel completly horrible - take your time, and dont rush your shot!!!

p.s. i leave the bloody arrow in my bowcase to remind me to take my time everytime i open my case