Sorry you lost this one, but just have to keep at it Chris.
We also lost one three days after this, sounds very similar. A buddy of mine shot one that Friday night right before dark. The arrow went straight through and buried into a log behind the deer. It ran probably 75 feet and laid down. He knocked another arrow, and it got back up and took off. We had a blood trail that lasted about 50 feet from where it was down, getting progressively weaker, then disappeared. Tracked and tracked and tracked and never could find him.
And thanks for the tip Capt. Ed. We used the TP method on this guy.
If you tracked the deer that long and far, be glad you didn't find him my friend.
After 6 Years of hunting on a private 200 Acre Pig farm in Halifax co, I made a mistake. I pushed my 30/30 too far and gut-shot a 4 point. I tracked that deer for what seemed like an eternity. I found him still alive, cognizant but worn out and having breathing issues. I had to put him down at close range and I didn't enjoy it. Between putting him down, dragging him through the swamp forever and cleaning him (after being gut shot), I never pulled the trigger again.