[Sugarmaker]

Kelpie,
To bad about loosing that deer. Had a similar situation during muzzle loader season couple years back too.
Big doe circled my son a hundred yards away and came near my stand and stopped. I shot and the deer went right down. During dressing I found similar problems that you found. This was actually a buck that had lost its horns and had been shot during archery or gun season.
I believe that the hesitation is the fact that they are suffering and are looking for a quick exit from this world. You did a good deed.
Keep your head up and keep hunting!
Regards,
Chris