Rack
Glad to see you came back and posted. It sucks that you haven't found him, I'm sure he's dead not too far away. I won't put you down for taking that shot, I've killed deer that way as well. You felt confident in your shot, and took it.
About the only thing I don't understand is why you didn't have your gun with you when you went to trail him. ? Anyhow, good luck to you, hopefully you'll recover him soon.