My son has lost a deer since he has started hunting alone. it made him very upset, he asked me why all my deer fall in their tracks? I tried to not make him feel worse about a bad thing, but these are teaching moments. I do believe bullet and placement matter!!!! I told him sometimes we feel like its "now or never, shoot" this is a very bad habit. Its better to let them walk and feel good about yourself than "pray and spray". I must say I have never been more proud of him than when he told me "could have shot one tonight but the angle was wrong" I have always taught him to respect Gods animals enough to take your time and pick your shots. He is becoming my favorite hunting partner. By the way I shoot 30-06 with a 165 gr siera gameking, shot many deer and never had to track yet. Could happen next hunt though.