cherokee.. while you did not get a shot, you did get to see deer and try to work a shot. That makes it a lot of fun. And I want to commend you for your common sense and good judgement. I can not tell you how many people who may not have the skills to pull off a long range shot, would have tried anyway. Even if it meant missing or worse yet, wounding a deer. You stuck you your hunting plans and had a good season. No regrets there in my book. So you need to practice with your New Englander more.

That's a reason to shoot more.
I also limit my open sight shots to 75 yards. I do practice further then that, but feel most comfortable at those distances. I have a new englander as well. Its a good shooting rifle. But I use it more for the shotgun aspect as I also have a 12 gauge shotgun barrel for it. You want to know how bad a shot you are, hunt grouse with a black powder shotgun...