I've taken a couple deer at 40 yards, but earlier in my bowhunting career. I haven't taken a 40 yard shot in probably 10 years. I've let more than one buck get away waiting for a better shot. The best example was a 12 pointer with some extra kickers, that would have made anyones book, standing broadside at 30 feeding on acorns. The way he was moving he was suppose to be in my lap in a couple minutes. A doe came running by and it all went bad real fast. Inside 25 I take the first good shot that presents itself unless I know without doubt I'll get a slam dunk.(Like the 12 pointer<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>) At 35 I'll shoot but usually wait to see what's going to happen. At 30, a good shot with little promise of something better I'll take. A lot depends on the deers state of tension, daylight, weather(raining or not), etc. Every deer is different. Sometimes I guess right.... sometimes I don't. That's all part of the game.