sounds like you were using a field point, had that been a broadhead he would have died quick.

Yes, keep going after squirrels with your bow. It sucks that the shot wasn't perfect but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Use a blunt tipped arrow next time instead of just a field tip. An excelent blunt for squirrels and other small game like rabbits is a small washer sandwiched between the field tip and arrow.

I often feel sorry for the game I kill. They are beautiful animals and I love to watch them. All that goes away, however, when I am eating them.

Every hunter I know trys to make a quick and clean kill, sometimes it does not happen, you just have to understand that we do not live in a perfect world, would it be better ifa predator had eaten this rabbit? Would that have been better for you?

Sometimes the act of killing an animal doesn’t go quickly. All we can do is try our best to make a clean kill. When that doesn’t happen you deal with it and move on. If you can’t then maybe take a camera instead of a gun/bow.

Its going to happen, as said before you just have to do the best that you can. Choose the right equipment and be as proficient with it as you can. Just the other dayI had a small buck hit by a train, he was still very much alive but was unableto stand up at all, I went ahead and shothim to end his misery.

Suffering is part of being an emotional being.

Killing without mercy is what animals do to other animals, tooth, fang, and claw is how the squirrel lived its life. Do not feel sorry for the squirrel, it only knows food, water, safe cover and procreation.

I agree that you should make the best shot possible to eliminate any suffering. That includes using the right weapons for the game your after. So you could have pick a better arrow point or a better weapon yes, but you live and learn.

No just remember that animals don't have Doctors or Hospitals. When it comes time for them to die, nature is usually more harsh than hunters. An old deer that starves or is taken down by coyotes will have more suffering than what happens when they are taken by hunters in most cases.

Use it as a learning experiance. If it ever happens again use proper equipement or be cofident in your shot and always have a follow up shot ready.

Flyfish, I do hope that you will continue to hunt! I think that most of us feel a touch of sorrow in the taking of a life! Some people do not understand how a hunter can love wildlife and still kill. To most of us it is NOT the "thrill of the kill," but the love of the outdoors and wildlife and the satisfaction of knowing that we ARE the true "conservationists!" Actually helping to preserve and protect wildlife for future generations to come. I actually feel sorry for those who don't feel at least a twang of sorrow after the kill or at the sight of a wounded animal! Knowing that I did the best I possibly could do to make a quick, clean kill or if needed, a quick track and finish is all we can do! There are countless ways to die that would be far worse than being shot cleanly!
There are even some who would not "waste" their last tag or would not finish off a wounded animal if they didn't have a tag! Right or wrong, I'm not trying to judge anyone. But for myself, I am going to do the merciful thing and end the suffering. There would be more tags next year or I'd deal with the legalities if confronted!
Again, I hope you keep hunting, it really is great for the wildlife! Just practice, use the right tools, know and stay within your limitations and do the best that you posiblycan!