I lost a deer when I was 16...that was the last time and I'm 48 now.

When I shoot, I listen to see if I can hear them drop; I hunt in heavy cover, so I can't always see them drop. If I don't find blood, by hearing them drop, I have a pretty good idea of the general area in relation to where I was. I usually do a back and forth search pattern (in and out) of the area, then a side to side (leftto right) if that doesnt' work.

One time I shot a deer and knew I hit it but couldn't find it. I was pretty sure I had walked all over it, but in the dark was hard to tell. The next morning, I climbed the tree where I shot it, and directed my BIL to where I shot it by arm signals.

It was pretty thick from ground level, but from the air, I could see most of the area. There was no blood, but he found the deer no more than ten yards away from where I shot it.