re: How many big game animals have you shot that were never recovered.

Most memorable was when I was 12. Had a 20ga with a slug. Two big bucks come down a trail straight towards me. Put a slug in the chest of the one in front and he jumps straight up and hits the ground kicking. Thought it was the death kick but was wrong. He got up and ran off. Blood crossed a field and the guy with a dog pulls up with a truck load of people drinking beer. They all take a piss and the dog ultimately just keeps trailing back to the truck

In all, I've lost one doe with my bow, 2 bucks with a shotgun ( one was found after season while squirrel hunting 100 yards from where we quit) and also lost a doe with my 45-70.

So in all, 4 deer.

Maybe half a dozen pigs with bow