That still happens to me after many years of hunting -doubt and hestiation, often causing an opportunity to go away. A new situation that isn't cut and dried - what's the actual distance? Is the thing moving too fast or not? Can I really get steady enough in this position? Can I move to a better position without spooking the animal? I think it is excellent that he has learned that when in doubt at all, don't shoot. I just see so many leg shots, gut shots, missed shots, etc. by supposedly experienced guys who's philosophy is when in doubt, get a shot off, that it is better than not shooting. I just don't understand the attitude that it is more important to give it a try rather than just pass on a poor shot.

The down side of course, as your story shows, is missed opportunities,but to me that's the far lesser of evils. To me the downside of an ugly bad shot is far greater than the downside of not getting a deer. Heck, there's enough of a chance of bad luck making a bad shot happen (a deer jumping just before the shot, or an invisible twig deflecting it, for example). Every thing else should be just right before the trigger is pulled. Great story and lesson, thanks.