RE: If you could give one piece of advice?
Don't pick your nose after gutting a deer... especiallya gut shot!
On a more serious note:
I would say always "give it another 10 minutes." Meaning, when you're ready to leave, always stay. You can't shoot something if your not there. You've picked a stand for a reason, don't second guess yourself by walking the woods to multiple sites. The tracks are there for a reason, the deer will eventually come!