Congratulations on a successful hunt.
I personally consider you fortunate that the deer dropped in it's tracks considering the TOD and the weather conditions.
When I lived in Illinois I had friends that I allowed to archery hunt on my property. I used to dread that late afternoon knock on the door informing me that one had been arrowed but ran off and they needed my tracking help. Legalities aside; I used to carry a pistol to put the deer out of it's misery if necessary.
On a couple of occasions it was the wee morning hours before we finally found the deer. On one occasion the coyotes beat us to it.
Jim
