To me after 35+ years of hunting I would say it is 75% skill and 25% luck. The more skills you attain over the years increase your chances of getting lucky.

If you only know how to shoot and you walked into the woods cold, sat down and 5 minutes later a monster buck walks right by you and you kill him that is 100% luck, skill increases your chances of being in the right spot at the right time.

There will always be a degree of luck in any hunt though no matter how skilled you are.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club