RE: the meat
You can't eat the meat if you don't recover the animal! I do what ever gives me the best chance to recover the deer. If that means waiting I wait. In realy hot weather it is a game of doing what you feel is best. I don't think their is any write or wrong answer, but recovery of the meat is always my first priority.
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS