I had read a post about putting tape on the sides of your motion detector so that you didn't end up with half a deer in the picture, is this suggested?
This really depends on the type of sensor & fresnal lense being used. Some sensors detect a pretty wide detection area, like the old Radio Shack sensors that were about 2-3" across. Sensors now seem to be pretty narrow which helps make sure the subject is in the picture before the camera is triggered.
In the thousands of pictures I have taken I don't recall getting many half deer pictures. Doesn't seem to be that big of a problem.
Time delays are not that important to me with a digital camera unless I plan to not check the camera for a few weeks then I will set it for a minute or so delay. If the camera is out for a week I set it for minimal time delay. Took 300+ pics in a week once with a digital camera and minimal time delay.