Several times I have watched deer take there last step from my treestand. I still wait 10-15 min to calm down so I don't fall out of the tree. I wait 45-60 min to begin tracking if they run out of sight. Once tracking if I feel a gut shot I wait 6 hours. Real dark blood sign is possible liver hit and I wait 4 hours. If I think it's a solid muscle hit which is also displayed as real dark bloodI will track faster to bleed them out. If I feel a lung or heart shot I continue tracking as 45-60 min has elapsed. Evaluating the blood sign is real key to holding back or proceeding. Alot of literature is avail on blood trailing but most of it comes from raw experience. If anyone ever calls you to help them blood trail then jump at the opportunity.