while I've never personally had a deer or elk run more than a couple dozen yards ,
I've helped a good many people track and recover deer in the past
(no I'm certainly not the worlds best shot, I just pass on all the shots I'm not damn sure I can make)
Too answer your question, your certainly not having an unknown or overly rare first hunt experience,
badly hit deer do tend to cover a good deal of distance, the fact you tracked it that far shows promise!
you've learned or should learn to take your time and place your shots very carefully,
this alone will greatly reduce the potential for game traveling any significant distance from the bullet impact point.
it would also be too your advantage to carry a compass and ideally a GPS so you don,t get lost in a DAY PACK, with a few minimal tools of the trade,
I generally carry a large roll or two of orange surveyors streamer tape
,
https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-fla...SABEgJHavD_BwE
if you place a bit of orange tape every place you see blood ,(near eye level if possible) you get a good idea if the direction of travel and easily can back track.
carrying a canteen, a poncho, matches, compass, knife , and any meds you may need, and some snack food, and in my opinion a cell phone and spare battery, is mandatory
heres a quick memory jog list, for hunt day pack
because this is a thread partly about equipment you can use,
Id include a few related tips gained over the last 45 plus years of elk hunts.
this woodsman (above) and the sharp finger (below),are both a darn good value in a skinning and dressing game knife,
both work, you may prefer one vs the other,
but both get the job done and at the very low price,
you could buy both and give the one you don,t prefer to a son or friend
youll find either available under $29 if you shop carefully
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/83...nife-sharpener
youll need a handy blade sharpener no mater what blades you select.
(remember you might be forced to stay out over night, & weather is unpredictable)
skinning knife
kukri
compact blade sharpener
compass
area topo maps
canteen
licences
cell phone
several lighters
granola bars
rain poncho
2 gallon zip lock bags
small block & tackle hoist & rope(50 ft parachute cord)
spare ammo
heavy hoodie jacket
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com...25/#post-84275