I find it very hard to believe that the buck was shot in the chest with a 12 gauge and is still alive. The chance of you not hitting either lung, aorta, heart or liver is pretty much impossible. A dead on chest shot would also certainly puncture it's diaphragm causing major respiratory distress.

I am not doubting your story about the buck.......and I hope you find him soon. I just think that when you do, you will find the shot did not hit like you think it did.

I have shot and seen many deer shot with a 12 gauge and they just don't live for 24 hours with a slug hole from chest to tail........especially at 30 yards.

I could be wrong of course and will check back to see what you find..........should be interesting. I shot a big buck this year with a 12 gauge right through the lungs and he trotted away like I shot him with a super soaker........thought I missed him for sure. Ran almost 100 yards before he ran out of blood. They can be tough as nails sometimes.

My taxidermist told me he did a deer last year that had a broadhead in it's skull with the tip poking into it's brain.........a gun hunter killed that buck while it was chasing does []

Good Luck!!