Hi Jason,
I have heard many third hand accounts of big game traveling miles after their lungs were destroyed or hearts destroyed. However, it has never been my experience. Nor have I ever talked to anyone who has had to actually track any such game any great distance.
My last buck I shot had one lung destroyed. I'd doubt if he made it 50 yards. He was dead when I walked up to him.
A good rule of thumb is to always go with the rule as opposed to citing an exception in effort to refute the rule.
Take care
