Ever since I stopped gutting animals in the woods, I have no problems with predators. Every now and then a wolf comes around, and if he gets to my deer before I do, then I guess it was his in the first place. This has only happened one time, and the wolf ran after the deer as soon as I shot. He was probobly stalking that deer longer than I was in my tree that day. Deer are not more hardy than any other animal. Ive seen them break there neck slipping on the ice with a steep bank, Ive seen them have a heart attack from being chased too much, and Ive cut them down off of steel picket fences when they couldn't clear it with a jump in someones back yard.(I ate them too) If you dont think you can make a shot, dont take it. Arrows are expensive.