I was self taught as well. Id say the most important lessons Ive learned over the years is 1st and formost, DONT RUSH THE SHOT! When you 1st see a deer, you will want shoot it quickly before it gets away, but wait for the perfect angle, and dont pull the trigger or release, until you know you can hit em good. They are much easier to find that way.

2nd, when you get tired of waiting, wait some more.the most important element to killing game IMO, isnt your equipment or even scouting, its being in the woods when the deer are, and that somtimes requires alot of sitting and waiting, usually without seeing anything. you must resist the urge to leave and go back to the truck.