When the day comes that I am unable to follow up on an animal should things go bad, I will hang up my hunting boots. My love for the hunt and more, for the critters I hunt, dictates it be so. They deserve that, at the very least.

It's time the OP faces the hard reality: his hunting days are pretty much behind him, save for maybe some small game stuff. Mark, shame on you for starting something you *knew* you couldn't finish if things went bad. It shows a total lack of respect for the hunt, as well as for the animal that suffered as a result of your bad choices and inability to follow through with what you started. Rather than try to come off as some hero, you should be hanging your head.

Final thought: JJ Hack appears to be a good and generous man, filled with kindness. Respect.