ORIGINAL: MNpurple
One other thing that has helped me out in the past is understanding the importance of staying undetected both before, during and after the shot. Sounds pretty straight foreward but it is so important to remain undetected after that shot. TV shows guys taking a shot, and then talking, fist pumping, whatever. If you have shot an animal and it doesnt know you are there or doesnt know what has just happened, your odds of finding that animal increase dramatically as opposed to that animal knowing a "predator" is on their trail.
Very good point! I always make it a point to stay quiet and as motion free as possible. Not just in the tree but on the ground as well, particularly if I didn't see the animal fall.