Dave590

I like to sit around and smoke a few cigarettes and eat a candy bar or something while I get my "act" together. Then head out.

smokepoledoug

It all depends on the weapon used and how confident you feel about the shot. In a lot of areas of the country you can bag more than one deer. That being the case, I would remain in the stand for a while hoping you may get another one if you want it. A lot of deer are running dead on their feet after the shot. You don't have to follow one long usually in order to tell if he is going down soon. There are exceptions though to every rule. I have taken a lot of deer and seen almost every scenerio possible. Just use your own good judgement.

skeeter 7MM

Like many have said it really depends on the shot, reaction of the animal to the shot and the weapon.
Gun
Drops, I head their right away
Good shot but runs, I wait and listen for 5-10 minutes then head to the shot site. If the blood is pink and frothy or deep red and heavy indicating H/L I will generally follow it right away. If it dwindles or I hear an animal moving I will sit down and wait. I usually have granola bars and water so I will eat and drink and listen. I then begin to track about 30 min. later.
Poor shoot - Gut or bad reaction I will wait 20 minutes, mark the trail with orange trail marker and then wait at least 1-2 hours to follow. If it is late in the day I will just head home and come back first light or later with a group and many flashlights. (often though best suited to wait till am)

Bow
On good a shot I wait min. an hour (unless I see it drop and am sure it ain't moving)
Poor shot or reaction 2-4 hours min.

I have been lucky personally, I have only left one animal overnight and found it untouched at first light not far from my trail mark. But I have experienced all shots with buddies, one 2 years ago we tracked all day, then decided to leave it come back the next morning, we found the deer 500 yards from where we last pushed him up and still alive but unable to get up. He was shot in the ham...so I would say the worst shot you can get, if you don't bust the pelvis. In this case the yotes were on him and the meat was basically ruined, had we left him for 2-4 hours I bet he would have been recovered much easier with a better result. A lesson hard learned!!!!

Nicholal

I wait 15 min minimum......to ensure he's bleeding out. Dont want to bump him and have him take off if the shot was a poor one (hope that never happens)

Hunt for the sport, share the outdoors and most of all be safe and enjoy it......know your
back stop when shooting!!
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