[fabsroman]

KT,

This is just a mental thing. If you have practiced plenty and know how far you can shoot consistantly, you should be okay. Of course, you need to know the distance to the deer before letting go of the string.

If you are having a problem judging distance out in the field, either buy a range finder (I have one mounted on my bow), mark off some landmarks (e.g., trees, rocks), or practice your ranging techniques. If you buy a range finder, keep in mind that the range from the top of a tree stand will be a little greater than the range from the bottom of the tree to the target. Essentially, whenever you are shooting at an angle, whether it is up or down, the range that gravity will be acting on the arrow is based upon a level line running from where you are shooting from to the target.

Think of it like this, if a deer is standing 50 yards directly underneath you, you wouldn't use the 50 yard pin, but the dead on pin.

As far as losing game is concerned, it happens to all of us. I know I have wounded plenty of birds that I felt comfortable about when I pulled the trigger. For one reason or another, they just didn't fall. If I were to worry about that all the time, I would never go hunting. The way I relieve my conscience is by practicing and making my shooting skills better so that I will be as prepared as possible the next time I am out in the field.