For my area Water is where they head. I have fond two bucks one I shot and my Dad near the river or in it. I just walk the bank or float down it in my boat. Don't know if you are near water, but I hope it helps.
As for the ohters guys beating you up, well I know you just need to get this off your chest. I have been there, made mistakes myself. My Grampa hunted for years told me what to do, and guess what until I screwed up myself is when I learned.
IMO what you do after the shot is most important. Even on a bad shot the deer can be recoverd if done right. A decent shot and you go after to quick, well you could loose the deer. My uncle shot a deer in the shoulder with his muzzle loader. He went right after it, he fond pools of blood in three spots, large pools. He never fond the deer, next spring I am out shed hunting on the other side of the farm(about 1/2 mile) guess what I find in the thick stuff. His 10 pointer, he has hunted a lot of years and made the mistake. There is a post about tracking, I suggest you print it out and get it laminated. Read when you are in the stand, then after you shoot and have watch the deer as long as you can read it again. I think this will help you. Just so you know I do the samething. I have been hunting for 21 years now. It just helps calm me down and think before I act.