ORIGINAL: davidmil
Well, it's hard to say, but with that many chip shot misses I'd say it's a combination of things. For starters, PICK A SPOT and stay with it. Aim below the center line. PICK A SPOT. If you start getting nervous as the deer comes in, simply close your eyes and take a couple deep quiet breaths. If you're still nervous, do it again. You lock on your spot and burn a hole in it. You already have your bow in position, you draw smoothly but quickly, you lock on the spot... you're on it... BUT...before you release that arrow look the sight picture over and take the time to ask yourself, is this the picture I want? I'm still on the spot.... the picture is good and somehow the arrow goes almost by itself. You aren't done yet. Switch out of your slow motion frame of mind and let your mind race faster and faster. Watch the deer, follow him, left of the bush, right of those two trees, over that log by the double tree until you can't see him anymore. Lock on the last spot you saw him and listen. Analyzise the spot he disappeared. What's distinctive around it I can easily find when I get down. Burn it in your mind. As you decend the tree keep looking over at that last spot. It'll change as you descend. It may and probably will look totally different from ground level. If you loose it, climb back up and do it again. First thing you'll do when you reach ground is check the arrow if it's there. If there's blood you should track it, remembering all the markers you noted as he ran. I'd say your prime problem is probably rushing the shot and I'd be willing to bet you can never remember what the sight picture looked like when you let those arrows go. Just slow down, close your eyes if you have to, see the spot, keep the bow up when you release until you see the arrow go through the deer. On the range we all practice perfect posture and form. In the tree it's usually not always that way. I'd be willing to bet you've got a death grip on the bow and inducing all sorts of torgue into the equation. The form has to be natural. Do you practice enough for it to be that way or are you a quick the seasons coming lelt me sling some arrows.
Most important part of the shot along with a smooth release. Keep aiming until the arrow hits the ground. Jerking the bow to the side to see the arrow hit, throws the shot off. This is called anticipating the shot. It must be avoided.
Make yourself up a routine. The kill shot routine, and practice it. Two things about practicing this, visual and physical. I think that it's important that you can picture yourself executing your routine to perfection. Think about this a lot, not just when you're shooting your bow. It will definately improve the physical part of your shooting. Sample routine....
1 Spot the deer, get into position for a shot.
2 PICK A SPOT ON THE DEER YOU WANT TO HIT.
3 Draw bow, anchor and start aiming at your quarter sized spot.
4 Start squeezing the release
while you're aiming.
5 keep aiming until the arrow is in the target (your spot).
6 Follow the for as long as you can.
Don't forget to use the above mentioned tips as well. Make your own personal routine and modify it as necessary. Btw, breathing is an important part your routine also.
good luck.