ram--don't give up ust yet. The ham is a blood rich area and the femoral artery runs right through the middle of hit -- about where you said you hit. Friends of mine and I have made the same hit you made -- by accident of course -- and all had fairly easy recoveries. Giving him time was a good thing to do. I won't be surprised if you find him this afternoon. Of course you should never pick the ham as a aiming spot, but hits there often result in recovered deer. Keep us posted of what you find.