RE: Shot a decent 8 - Didn't find it
 

IMO, you had a very steep angle to work with. You probably did take out a lung. Remember that a stand 20 feet up, means you were probably shooting from about 25 feet.

I'd use this as a learning experience, and you may want to consider lowering your stand. It's not difficult, but you have to have some decent cover for concealment.

Sorry to hear about the situation.

RE: Shot a decent 8 - Didn't find it
 

[>:]Bummer. Maybe you can look in a few days and see some buzzards. At least then you may be able to recover the antlers....and have a little peice of mind.

RE: Shot a decent 8 - Didn't find it
 

I've had it happen before too, though mine was low and a steep shot. - I felt sure mine lived after 2 days of grid searching- and I wouldn't be surprised if your's does too. Finding the other 1/2 of the arrow was a big clue and a real plus for the deer's chances of survival. It could be the arrow skidded down the shoulder blade - and was no where near as lethal as it seemed.

FH

RE: Shot a decent 8 - Didn't find it
 

That's what I'm hoping for at this point...it could have done that, and then when he walked, his shoulder snapped off the back of the arrow...then it just took the other 50 yards for the arrow to work itself out...only the couple places that looked like bubbles worries me. I also think the fact that he never bed at all even though never pushed or spooked and left alone for over 3 hours is a positive sign.