I hear ya... & thank you all for the encouragement. Went and looked for a few more hours.... to no avail.

It did make me feel better going back out and looking again yesterday morning and afternoon for awhile, even though I didn't find any trace of the deer or the arrow.

Now I know I've tried my best to find/retrieve it, so that helps some.
I will take a break and hunt the regular firearm and then the ML season.
Then may go back out with the CB later this winter.

And yes, one way or the other, I too believe it may have been a bad hit.
Though still am also wondering about the mech. broadhead.
May go back to the Spitfires or MeatSeekers if I choose to stay with mechanicals.
Also have some Boss Wasp fixed blades that I have and haven't tried out. May sight in with those and re-index my arrows.

Good luck to all you the rest of your seasons.