Next day, (today) Christmas, I leave the house at about 6am, I get into my truck and turn my lights on, there are 4 deer standing at my mailbox, not EVEN 50 yeards away, I could hit them with a gravel if I tried.
Lets say that you were off on the time. I'll give you that. I don't agree with shooting at dark shapes either. Does your state have spotlighting laws?
Most peoples' mailboxes are on roads. I hope that you weren't shooting across the road.
This is how socalled accidents happen.
If you don't want ragged on, you have to think before you post.
I can't help with tracking advice.
If your state allows many kills, I don't see anything wrong with shooting another animal. I am sorry to hear about the lost animals.