I can't tell you how many years it took me to learn this. STAY PUT, especially if it is opening day. It pays off. I have seen does on opening day and after being skunked in archery, I want meat, so I harvest it. Depending on variables (temps, distance from vehicle, etc.) I'll remain in the stand for some time afterwards in the mornings until lunch time to get down and take care of it. In the afternoon, I'll let it be til I would typically leave the woods, as temps and relatively short huntable light allows it.

After getting down to dress does as a teenagerduring the NY shotgun opener in the A.M. and spooking other deer, even after a 1/2 hr. wait, I finally learned my lesson the third time it happenedwhen I shot not one, but two does who were togetherat 7:45am. I waited til 8:15 to give them time, although both were done in sight. I sent down my gun via rope off my ladder stand. With the gun on the ground, and me halfway down, I look out of the woods and see the 10 pt. buck I had been scouting all summer staring right back at me with a perfect 50 yard broadside shot. He promptly turned and high-tailed it to another awaiting hunter who introduced the buck to his 12 gauge shotgun.

Wait it out, you might end up bettering your luck after getting a deer.