hello, i have some questions that i'd like to get some experienced answers for. this is my second season hunting, and tonight i got lucky, sort of. 3 doe came out of the trail close to me, and i took the shot on one. i heard it hit, almost like it hit wood, or maybe a bone, and she jumped up and then took off running for about 20 yards. she then stood there, then seemed to slowly walk away. (note she was in tall grass so i couldnt really see the arrow) i'm thinking maybe gut shot? because after i heard water splashing as if she went into it. i couldnt find my arrow in the ground where it hit. i waited about a half hour for the other deer to clear out so i wouldn't spook them, and then got down. at this point it was getting dark and i looked for blood till it was so dark i really couldn't see. at this point i gave up, mad at myself for letting one go, although i do plan on going back tomorrow to track.

my questions are, weather dependent, how good is the meat going to be after about 14 hours? depending on when she died? and after i took the shot, one deer took off running with her, and the other one just kept eating, so, will the unwounded ones come back to that trail? and how soon? i didn't spook either of them myself. sorry for such a long post and thanks in advance for all the replies!