unfortunately I"ve trailed a handful of gut shots. No one wants to ever have to do it. But it happens.
Once I learned to totally trust 8 hours, its been foolproof. With the exception of the pigs.
I don't even have to have a trail to follow, I can grid out 100 or so yards pretty easy.
And the one doe I watched that jumped the string... stayed in an open field under a small mesquite through a norther and thunderstorm...
Having had to trail them aftger they've jumped a few times.... it can become an all day tedious task.
I actually enjoy the puzzle personally, but sucks if you never find em.