I've got a couple smoke poles but very rarely will i carry one during the gun season. I love using them but there was one time i had only a behind the ear shot @ roughly 60 yds. I should've connected but it didn't quite reach mark.the buck lunged foreword and ran to a clearing and stood there shaking his head. After tracking blood i had i knew it was just a nick ..the proof came the following season same spot when i put a 151 scored on the wall with ear on same side i shot at with some nifty design from gun shot. Since then the shotguns get used during main season. A second shot would've sealed the deal. Oh yeah another reason i am sure it's the same animal was an odd hoof print when missed and same print and hoof when killed following yr.