Our knowledge as experienced bowhunters has been gained as much by failures, as the times we have succeeded.In fact our experiences probably make us less likely to take a shot.

As an inexperienced hunter we do not tend to not see the limb or branch.In our minds eye we seethe animal and look for the shot.

As we gain experience we tend to look for what can go wrong.

We may be more aware of what's going to happen, such as a tail-wag prior to movement or a well timed grunt to get the angle we need. This may allow us to take a better shot. But it will also give us the insight, to not touch that release if the shot does not present itself.

Can Ishoot throughthat hole in the brush that's pie plate sized at 30 yards. Yes, I know I can my time on the range dictates that I will succeed 98 times out of 100.However in a hunting situation is 98% good enough to release that arrow, that 2% of doubt will probably keep the experience guy from shooting.

Expirience is a great teacher and it continues for each of us. The guy that's shot 20 basket size bucks..will his thought process go haywire when that 150 class animal steps out in a so-so position? He is a great shot at the range, but now.. how is his breathing and heart-rate what factors are changing his normal abilities? Only through being in these situations will one know how to react. Can you let down, knowing that today, you can't make the accurate shot needed for a quick kill? Experience teaches us that being put in this situation is the hunt...the animal on the ground is the kill.
That's why we are called hunters and not killers.