I would wager that about all of us that come to this forum recall the "misses" and "not founds" in a lot more detail that the hunts that work out well. I know I do.

Killing a deer (or any game) ... I do not take lightly. So leaving one hit hard, that will suffer before it dies really gets to me. That 's why I have worked hard for 50 +/- years to be a good marksman and try my best to take only the "sure shot". And my hunting buddies would attest that I do not give up on tracking a wounded deer until I am either exhausted or am 100% sure I am not going to be able to find it. (And a big AMEN for my tracking dog !! ) Wish I could claim that I have never messed up a shot ... but certainly would be lying if I said so.