Outside of bad, lazy, or faulty tracking ability, many deer are lost because of two main reasons of several reasons. One, because the shooter has not thoroughly learned the territory in which he or she is hunting, and therefore has no idea of where the deer may be headed; two, because some shooters are always looking for the wounded/dead deer to be lying in plain sight.

1. Tracking a wounded deer begins long before the shot is made.
2, A wounded deer normally does not leave for parts unknown.
3. A wounded deer will hide if it can, and often dies in the hiding place.

A wounded deer eventually knows it is in trouble and will hide. It is my belief that the deer is not knowingly hiding from you. It knows that it is now vulnerable and will be hiding from predators and seeking cover from bad weather in deep and/or protective cover.

If you believe the hit -although not mortal, was good enough to cripple the deer for awhile, look in all dense/protective cover in your area. However, that is why you need to thoroughly know your area...." Tracking a wounded deer begins long before the shot is made."

Shots gone wrong can be forgiven; it happens to the best.....even those that yell the loudest. Bad or lazy tracking techniques are unforgivable. You do not shoot a deer, or any animal, if your post-hit tracking ability is lacking.