Ive never hit the spine, but i have had a shot that hit both lungs, and embeded in the back of the off shoulder blade and the deer go down and spin on the ground for a few min. I tried to put another arrow in him but couldnt get a shot off because of the way the deer was spinning. There is nothing pleasent about it. I do prefer a good heart shot, pass through where the deer runs a little then piles up.

Im just proud you saw something. Its been so hot these last two weeks, Ive seen nothing. I went out in Jayton Texas two weeks ago on my land, and Bowie last weekend on a friends land and it was in the 90s by 9:00am. I hate the heat. I hope it cools down this upcoming weekend, im going to my favorite spot in Brock.

I've spined a couple deer too over the years,just finish the kill asap and put it behind you.It does not make you a bad person or hunter I think most who have hunted awile has done this at least once.

Well thats what I wanted to hear...Id make a terrible monk anyway

I've spined my share, the last one being just yesterday.

I can see I'm not alone here. I've spined a number of them over the years and hope I never have another one. I always try to quickly end any suffering with a follow up shot, but sometimes there still moving so much that the shots don't hit exactly as you want. I can still see the last time it happened (years ago) and it stillhurts to think about it.

Ty for no cheesy confession, I had this happen once back in 94 and personally it was all good.
You completed the kill and that made it 100%

I've never spined one yet, but I have had to finish off a deer that was liver shot but not quite done yet. It's not pleasant and you do feel bad. But that feeling will make you a better hunter. That experience makes me be real selective on the shots I take. I want a double lung or heart hit every time.

Aim low in the chest!

Just wanted to chime in here and to the Orignal poster... I know what your feeling. I spined one last year for the first time... the best way i can explaning it is...you see a nice deer come in range draw back then OhNO ...what the hell happened.... It is the best feeling in the world immediately followed by the WORST. when you realize you spine shot him. Mine was due to misjudged distance. The deer made this awful noise and tried to drag himself off with just his front legs working... I couldn't hunt again for a week. It really got to me.

SLo - pitch pretty muched nailed it for me. Thank you everyone for your replys. And yes, the expierience has hopefully made me a better hunter.

Ive spined a few. Not my prefferred method but at least the animal didnt run off and suffer a long slow death.

I'll tell you whats worse. Ive killed a few deer over the years that Ive found lieing on the side of the road paralyzed or busted up outside and inside and dieing from vehicle collisions. Putting shirt over their eyes and easing a knife into them can be a difficult task, but Id rather do that than drive away leaving them there to suffer any more.