most popular caliber for mule deer and elk

[theGinsue]

I'm not a huge fan of tracking deer/elk for a long ways after they've been shot.

Oh yeah, tracking an injured animal has never been something I've particularly enjoyed. What makes it even worse is that they always seem to move FURTHER away from any roads or access points making your job of hauling the animal out even more difficult.

I feel the same way, I like to be prepared and be able to shot very accurately, but there is a large difference between at the range and being in the woods getting ready to take an animal that is staring at you or pissed and your heart is racing!
I have tracked an elk for about 3 hours after a .50 cal shot that went through both lungs...elk are amazing and have a huge sense of wanting to live...deer and antelope IMO are happy to die for the most part, but elk struggle to the very end.

I've noticed this too. While antelope move quickly, they often stop a few hundred yards away just long enough to get a good shot off. The deer seem to practically beg you to shoot them and if you do, don't move to far before dropping.

[Irving]

That's why you have your buddy circle the deer and you both shoot it at the same time while facing each other. Duh.