All the deer I have shot were close - within 20 yards or so. I have found it is all a matter of finding out where the deer like to go, gettig a spot close by, and staying STILL. Couple years ago I had set up beside a large clump of trees just before sunrise. Lite wind blowing with occassional gusts. With the tracks we had scouted I figured on seeing deer at any time. Well I didn't. A gust of wind breaks an old dead branch and it falls, twisting somehow to miss me and hitting the ground about 3 inches from me. I had to step out from the tree (to check my drawers), I turned and not 15 yards - downwind - were 3 of 'em. I was flat busted and not ready. After lunch, I set up by the same set of trees and not 15 minutes later here comes a nice doe wandering up - MEAT ON THE TABLE.

This year I had a different place but similar setup - snow on the ground. Tracks indicated a deer highway 25 yards from my spot. Right at sunup, they come up behind me - cutting a new trail. Holy Crap! I was stuck, couldn't move or reposition in order to get a shot and they kept hanging around behind me. Could get my head turned far enough to see them but would have to step out from the tree to turn my body around and get the gun up. I got lucky in that after a few, another deer came in from the other direction. That ones in the freezer.