Knowledge of the animal being hunted...Knowing and being able to identify it's preferred food during different times of the year, it's preferred travel routes, bedding area, how to enter and exit the area with minimum disturbance, understanding the rut and how it affects deer, understanding weather patterns and when the animals are most likely to be active, knowing how to read sign in the woods, just basic woodsmanship...How to locate and setup an ambush point and then keeping your composure and executing the shot when the time comes...

Observation and adaptability...Being able to notice the small signs that tell you when a deer is approaching and knowing when and where to move when a spot doesn't pan out....Knowing the area so you don't waste time in non productive areas...Even knowing what other hunters are doing in the areas around you so you can make adjustments...

The self control or maturity it takes to pass on a marginal shot is also important...

Finally, tracking skills after the shot and being able to evaluate the shot and how long you need to wait before finding the animal...