Starman, welcome to this most hospitable board.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
To answer your question, I guess it depends on the situation. If he drops in his tracks, and doesn't move, I'll be by his side shortly. If he drops and is kicking around, I'll be keeping the scope on him until he quits kicking around. Same thing if he goes a short distance. If he runs off and I feel confident I made a good lung or heart shot, I'll give him 30 minutes or more depending on weather and time of day. If he runs off and I don't have confidence that I hit him in a vital area, I'll give him alot more time, how much more depends on the amount of daylight left and whether or not rain is in the area. If at anytime, this deer gets up and takes off out of sight, I'll back out and give him some time to lay down and die, a couple hours or more.