In all but the most extreeme temps, the meat will last MUCH longer than 2 or 3 hours. I have recovered deer 22 hours after the shot (with daytime temps in the 70's) and had the meat inspected by a butcher afterwards because I was worried about spoilage. After a thorough inspection, the meat was declared "good" and it turned out to be some of the best my family ever had. Don't push a deer if you aren't sure. I lost the trophy of a lifetime once by pushing him onto neighboring property where he was recovered and checked in as their own!!