Was it blowing like an alarm snort or did it sound more like a huffing sound?
Often times a deer hit in the lungs will make a huffing sound as it runs off. Sometimes it barely audible but other times you can hear it very well. If you hit the deer in the lungs you should have found some blood. If you missed you should have found your arrow. How did the deer react when you shot? Did it crash away low to the ground or did it bound away like it was spooked? It sounds like you may have hit the deer. There usually is a distinctive sound when a deer is hit. The arrow striking the ground from an elevated position can also make a sound like your target but the fact that you couldnt find your arrow kind of makes me think that you hit the deer.