Rack you and I think to much alike, the first thing I thought of was the prevailing winds, the second thing I thought of was gulleys in the woods and elevations throughout the area.

Bow-Nut there are many things to give consideration to, in my book the #1 thing is the prevailing wind which can vary from morning to afternoon.

#2 is the lay of the land and where the thick stuff is.

You have been given some good advice, but to me #1 & #2 are very important, with out knowing them I really have no idea where to put your stands.

As far as the buck coming back to the area, since he wasn' t shot at he probably was back that night. Unless really pushed a deer does not run that far when spooked.