Kip H, Just to clarify something since you decided to make your own assumptions. The shot was not poor. It entered about 3 inches behind the front shoulder. I simply didn't get an exit hole. I lost the blood and decided to back out and get up and drive back (Got up at 4am and drove 90 miles) the next morning to look for it since it was goin to be pretty cool. Found the deer about 60 yards from where I had found the last blood the night before(maybe 150 yards from where I had shot it) I wasnt sure about the affect of the water getting inside the body cavity. I decided it wasn't worth the risk of getting myself or family sick since I wasn't sure. I was just hoping to get the opinion from someone more knowledgeable for future reference since this was a situation I hadn't encountered before.
Huntschool, I'll come shoot a doe with ya anytime but would prefer to pass on the pond testing. Still think of your story every time I sharpen my broadheads btw. I'll likely be down your way for a few days next week. Haven't been down there yet this year and am looking forward to it.