RE: Buck in tow
You probably did the right thing. Odds are you wouldn't have to worry to much about the buck spooking as he only has one thing on his mind, but you sure as heck don't want to spook the doe as she will most deffinitly drag the buck off with her.
I use one of the realtree bow holders that screws into the tree and pivots out so that my bow is just to my left side and very easy to get with minimal movement.