Stealth,
Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Maybe it'll happen at home for you. I haven't been able to bring myself to put down the compound this season. I haven't practiced with the recurve as much as needed and am only comfortable out to about 15yds. Past that and I would be going against my own code of bowhunting ethics, don't shoot past my effective range no matter how big the animal.
I enjoy the hunt as much, maybe more than anyone. But,there is nothing better than connecting after a lot of effort and hard work. I will happily admit that I do want to kill more big bucks. I am putting in as much time as possible in my home state of IL right now. And can not bring myself to give up that extra bit of confidence I have in my abilities to connect with the compound. I'll admit that at this point I can't stand the thought of a big buck passing me by at 25yds, knowing I can't take the shot if it is presented.