I can't remember not being able to find one myself. But I'm also one who only takes what I consider easy shots. I've never taken a shot beyond 100 yards, with most being within 75 yards.

lost one deer with my bow, never have lost one with a gun.

I've lost 3 in 50 years, one I still haven't figured out and the other two were my fault.

I'm going to use yours as an example of why I want them bleeding from both sides, I use a 300 Weatherby! Too much gun? NOPE! Two of the deer I lost was was a caliber bullet choice I shouldn't have used. Not that a bad shot was made by your son and congrats to him, it was the no blood I was using as an example.

The biggest Muledeer buck I ever took never left a drop of blood, shot him on a step downhill with a 270 and 130's and he turned and just did that muledeer stoat out of sight. Had I not been so sure of my shot I could have easily decided I missed. Followed his tracks for about 200 yards and he was dead. Had the bullet exited there would have been blood flowing. It was so steep the horses kept sitting down on us trying to get up the hill.

My biggest concern with the long range guys is bullet performance, you get very little with those impact velocities at long range. That said the 3 I lost were under 250.

I have been hunting now for over 30 years and have not been able find but one. We gave it our best effort, let the shot area settle overnight and spent 8 hours the next day searching. Wasn't due to lack of effort. The shot at the time seemed right on as well. We found the sheds the next spring over 500 yards away. To this day I don't understand. He was shot with a 270 150 grain corelokt. Still not happy about it to this day.

I did not keep a number, so it would only be an estimate. But I have hunted under MLD I, MLD III and ADCP permited ranches which give you tags to control population along with regular tags on my leases when hunting those in over 45 yrs of hunting. I have hunted all over Texas, in Kansas, and Alberta for WT and MD under LF and HF situations. My longest shot was just over 300 yards, do not often take shots over 200 yrds unless I have a really good rest and most shots are under 175 yds. I do not claim to be an expert nor do I want to be called one, but rather just someone who has experienced quite a bit while hunting and managing deer.

Sorry I must have been confused. I was asking about OP Texas Dan. Sorry again for the confusion STX.

I thought you were talking about STX too...

I was ready to request a change of his AKA to "expert of experts"

Where's Bobo?

No problem but Red Chevy replied to me and you quoted him so I was the one confused. It happens with age in my case.

don't you have some sand to blast off your boots?

Pretty good credentials. From now on you are the "E of Es" stx.

Sometimes the question's asked on this forum blow's me away !!!

Well thanks but at least you did not say the "B of BS"

I was going to say that...

Really? After almost 4 years it still surprises you?

I know it happens but you can take the time to know your self your gun and your hunting area to minimize it. It shouldn't ever happen if you do your part. Not saying my day won't come but I always make sure I know my gun very well before I ever take a shot.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........Never

Ideally never but we live in an imperfect world.

Wounding an animal is a horrible experience because as hunters we should all strive for a quick, clean kill. Sometimes it's human error, other times mechanical but it happens.

All we can do is try to prevent such accidents in the first place and that's the responsibility of every hunter.

Imperfect?
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4789186/KILL_THOSE_COYOTES#Post4789186
Hey, the other critters have to eat also, and nothing goes to waste. Now that's the perfect world, you have to admit!

One might come to the following understanding after reading all the comments shared...

You are most likely to be forgiven by your peers the first time you are unable to recover a wounded deer because it can happen to even the best shooters. Let it happen again and it will be recognized that you have a problem that must be corrected. Spend more time at the range and/or find a rifle that's more comfortable to you. That's because should it happen a third time, you're most likely going to need to find another group of guys to hunt with.

However, on some leases you might want to take corrective action after that first incident because a second time is all that's needed to send you packing.

(Oh yeah - before you ask: 3 in about 40 years)

What surprises me is how many play along....