Heartbreak as a parent. Lost a deer

[Seay]

Nothing makes it better but I would explain to him what the void area is exactly, and be very diligent on checking cameras and hope for a shot of her later on to show him she made it.

[Native Texan]

One huge positive is that he showed a lot of disappointment and regret. I have seen hunters both young and old just shrug it off and go stick another one without feeling bad about it at all. It shows that he takes it seriously.

^^^This^^^
Sorry your son is going through the heartbreaking loss.
My son did the same thing on his 3rd deer with a rifle when he was 12, so I know how you feel. Explain to him that as heartbreaking as it is to lose an animal, even if she doesn't live the meat will not go to waste as it will feed other animals...may help him feel a little better about it.
He can learn a lot from the experience and be a better hunter because of it.

[lovemylegacy]

My son got to be the hunter for the first time this weekend. He made what I thought was a decent shot on a doe this morning with his xbow. We gave her over an hour and began tracking. Unfortunately the trail dried up and we never found her. To see the tears in his eyes just broke my heart. It happens to all of us but to see my son have to go thru with it on his first deer tore me up. Hopefully we can shake it off and get on another one for him next weekend.

Happened to me today. Its an imperfect sport, played by imperfect people Its bound to happen. Tell him to try again.

Good to see he cared so much about it

[Royal21973]

It's hard on us adults let alone the kids. Tell him to hang in there.

[PhotonSlinger]

Maybe she will show back up on camera and you can show him. Been lucky to get to cull hunt a place of a friend from work the last couple of years. Shot an awesome cull buck and hit him right behind shoulder and exited breast. Tracked for miles and hours and gave up. Beyond relief when he showed me the trail cam pics a few weeks later alive and well. Hopefully this will happen for yall also.