But there is nothing wrong with the shot he took....only the fact he didn't make a good hit. It's easier to hit the vitals on a 30 yd. frontal shot than on a 100 yd. broadside simply due to the range.
Apparently in this case their was a problem with shot he took and hitting the vitals wasn't easy with a frontal shot of 30 yards. They spooked the buck out of the bed and he took off the following day or days later(I can't recall which) in any regard pretty hard to believe he got any vitals with the shot. I don't say this to condemn rack or your post, but stump has a point wouldn't you agree in this case? They are tough, amazing creatures but even a single lung or liver shot will result in a dead deer overnight and had he had the situation over again I am sure he'll think twice about taking the shot again. I personally don't take many shot other than vitals, quartering away is my fav, a face on is my least favorite shot and I am certainly skilled enough to take the shot...but it has a chance factor and as such the % will be lower. I can't say if I would have or wouldn't have taken the shot that was presented to rack, but if I am not 100% confident I will excute I don't shoot. I think that was stumps point here and probably yours as well...just different ways of saying it.
Rack I am sorry to hear you never caught up with him and it can & does happen...a shame but part of hunting to a degree. All we can do is learn from these experiences & hopefully it won't happen again. Best of luck on finding what is left of him.