Ok, so im in the tree during the middle of the day and as its slow i got to thinking of all the threads i read each year where people struggle to find deer after the shot.  The following is the method i use and I've had great success with it.  I hunt brushy areas and once i climb down i get disoriented especially in the dark.
Step 1 take the extra second to slow down and make a great shot.  This method will only help you find dead deer.
Step 2--- no matter what don't take your eyes off that deer until it is out of sight.
Step 3 using your compass align the wire with the notch and sight it to the last spot you saw the deer.
Step4 look through the magnifier and note the number under the line in the glass keeping compass pointed to the last spot you saw the deer.
Step5 while keeping the number ( in the photo its 38) aligned with the mark in the glass rotate the outside dial so the mark on that dial is lined up with the compass needle ( the one that moves and points north).
Step6 climb down and keep the needle lined up with the mark on the outside ring ( the doghouse) and walk from your tree -- it will take you directly to the last place you saw the deer.  Pics to follow. 

Step 3

Step4

Step5

If this helps one guy find his deer that would be great.  Not everyone gets as confused as i do...

 

Great advice

Another resource to finding your deer.  These are men & women really dedicated to tracking...

https://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/find-a-tracker/

The photos and coordinates were actually taken from the tree i shot my buck from this year.  The arrow went through the lungs and into the offside shoulder.  He left no blood on the ground--- even where he fell.  I marked the spot as above where i saw him fall and used the compass to walk right to him. 

Congrats on your deer thanks for sharing

Thanks guys!

Great post John! 
Good info for sure...

Taking a compass reading is a hard and fast rule for me. It has helped me find many deer.

You mentioned getting disoriented after dark. I spent years "lost" after dark while on a blood trail. Then one night in the UP, Tom Jenkins was with me on an after dark trail. Tom always trails with Coleman lanterns. As we left the truck, he brought 2. I assumed one of them was for me. Nope. He hung one of them in the tree at the starting point. It was amazing. Zero disorientation. We could look back and know exactly where we came from, even after being nose down on a trail.

Great thread.

We need more like this, ...actual Woodmanship!!! 

I shot a pig one evening.  She went 150 yards or so.  I found the arrow and lighted nock about 100 yards in and she did a circle and bled out quickly after the arrow cam out.
At this point I was only 300 yards from the two track but a failing head lamp and compass was all I had.  I took a bearing and headed out.  Got to the two track, walked to the cart and drove back to the point I came out. Used the compass to go straight to the pig.
We teach our scouts map and compass skills and they do not realize how useful they can be.

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I take a heading as I wait 30 minutes.  It helps pass the time, and leads me to last sighting. But, I combine where it ( deer, pig, elk) was standing when shot, first blood, and blood trailing and use heading as another reference point. 

I like the idea of 2 lanterns, t'would be "illuminating".