Woodsman603 - I feel for ya bro. I lost a monster 14 point whitetail that way, near the beginning of my deer hunting career (bout 55 years ago). I aimed a little high with my single shot 12 gauge slug gun, because of the high weeds in the field. He fell right down (dark deer hair all over the the ground) and immediately got up and ran away ...never to be found again. I found some blood about 200 yards away, with no oxygen bubbles in the blood (which signifies a double or single lung hit). The shot placement of the deer you shot might be an indication of a non-vital hit --- So it's possible that the deer might recover.

I've never forgiven myself for losing that deer. It's been documented that 2 out of 3 Boone & Crockett bucks shot are lost and never recovered. But the tragedy did not stop me from hunting deer. Just be glad that you have a deer hunting paradise to hunt in, and hopefully you can make it up in the near future.

P.S. --- Look for black vultures (buzzards) flying about in a circle...which might lead you to your prize.

Good luck...

Erno