Well thanks for all the replies so far.

The thing that gets me is that this deer didn't dive for available cover at the end of the blood trail....and now he's in a fairly open area...lots of underbrush but you can see right through it. Tomorrow I plan to check the creek that is running inside the cedar swamp....but I have no idea where to start or to end, and it''s swampy back there.

Now I don't know what to do if I do find it. I know the meat is ruined so that's a given. But what about the hide....will I be able to cape it out right there and take it to the check in station? Even if I have to remove the antlers, this buck is going to the check in station one way or the other.

I ordered a GPS unit today and it will be here first thing in the morning...this way I'll be able to tell where I have not been.