mossberg, you are not a bad hunter, you are a conscentious and decent good hunter, you did your best, everyone has rough times like this, if you keep hunting eventually something may happen like this, now youve had a bad time and im sure you feel bad but allow that to pass, you followed up on your deer as best you could. you did right it was just an unlucky thing to happen. So learn from it and don`t stop hunting, we need more hunters like you. Like some metioned just wait a bit after a hit and allow the deer to lay down and die, when they are hit often if you follow them they will keep moving. when they feel unthreatened they will lay down to rest and eventually die. Ive only killed two deer so far and both were clean close sholder shots, both deer only ran a short ways before dying. However on the first one i waited before i went to check on it, since it ran down over a hill where i couldnt see it. It was dead when i went to it a bit later. The second one i didnt wait on and followed it almost immediately and though it was close i couldnt see it for the brush but did hear it panting and breathing as it died just a few minutes later. I will now wait on all shots unless the deer fall right in sight. The more you follow the farther the deer will try to run.

you are a good hunter moss, you just had a rough start, keep up the good work and you will be rewarded with a deer soon, be safe and enjoy yourself and the times to come with your dad. bye, annie. ps . remeber to thank dad for taking you out and helping you become the good hunter you are.