I live in northern Minnesota. Several years ago I was returning from a trip from out of state and happened upon a huge buck standing along the driveway. The most convienient gun was a Mini-14 .223. This deer was no more than 40 yards away and for whatever reason it just stood and looked at me. Unbelievable, here was a huge buck, during season, still daytime, and yes... broadside. Gun was equipped with a Simmons 3x9, I regularly shoot prairie dogs and I have shot hundreds of whitetails. I hit this deer with a soft point in the front shoulder at 40 yards. It knocked this deer completely of it's feet. As I was only 1/4 mile from home, I went home to change and get a four wheeler. At least one hour later I went to collect the buck. It had crawled in the snow for 50 yards and I mean crawled. It then stood up and stumbled away. I left it overnight. It staggered for 1 mile before stopping where I tracked it too the next day. It ran and I let it go until afternoon. Three days later I quit. I also quit shooting deer with a .223 and never will again. It is too small period! The only thing I can figure is the bullet did not make it through the shoulder bone. It was an easy shot, I had a rest, but I did not have enough gun.