Did I I I repeat myself self?? Oh well sorry! Big country the slug guns of today are a far cry from 30 years ago. Out to over 100 yards they can rival rifle accuracy. I do not believe you are unethical You tried your best to find that deer!!! That is my hole point here, things can and do go wrong so it is up to us to do our best to elimate that possibility. When one speaks in generalities he will step on the toes of the exceptions. Where I live we hear alot of the stories of 500 yard + or - shots that start with " I thought I might be able to hit him." These are the people who I am talking about, the same people that will fire a shot, or barrage of shots at a deer and if it does not go down assume a miss.
I am not trying to argumentitive but I believe the average hunter/ shooter has no business shooting at game at over 300 yards. Since I have a range behind my gun shop I see lots of people sighting in and just plane shooting for fun. There are very few that can shoot 1" or less at 100 yards. Kidding alittle, to prove my point look at test results of most gun writers. Maby they can write but most of them can' t shoot. 1 3/4" from a Ruger 77, Same from a A Bolt . That is not my experiance with these guns. Now I said most gun writers so blease be merciful on me!!! Oh yes, If you can' t shoot better then I spell, give up.