I've always contended that a deer further out is less likely to drop than one close in. A deer 15-25 is far more likely to drop. When you get out to 40 any noise they hear doesn't seem to startle them as bad. They'll maybe turn their head and look for the source than drop. 30 yards seems to be more of a problem than 40. As always, the animals demeanor is the critical thing. If they're relaxed and feeding with todays bows they just look at longer ranges. With something noisy like an X bow... all bets are off. LOL Xbows startle me when they go off and I have a severe hearing loss. LOL If a deer is casually walking along at the shorter distances I just shoot him. I figure his own noisy from walking helps to cover up the twang and he's less likely to bolt than if I grunt or something to stop him.