Well scrider, your point is very valid and I don' t see anything wrong with your concerns. To me, confidence comes in two stages: being proficient at the range, and gutting your first bow-killed deer. Unfortunately, part of deer hunting (even with a rifle) sometimes includes wounding deer. I' ve been hunting for 24 years now and have lost a few. It' s the worst part of hunting to me. But, it is a part of it and we have to climb back on the horse and ride. If it makes you feel any better at all, whitetail deer not only have amazing survival instincts but incredible healing charcteristics as well. Biologists have learned that deer produce a chemical/vitamin combined with adrenalin that almost instantly stops most or all pain. They also produce a chemical that aides blood coagulation. In fact they are tyring to duplicate to help humans. I would suggest getting out there in your stand and taking some shots at a 3-d target in full hunting gear - get yourself off the range in other words. From there, decide your max limit for a killing shot. Make sure your bow is tuned, quiet, and quick. Then hunt. If you can' t bring yourself to shoot, well, watch the deer instead. No big deal. One thing as you know from gun hunting though - it' s a little different deal when a live animal is in front of you compared to shooting at a range. A well placed shot can kill a deer within seconds. I live and hunt under the conviction that if there is no shot, then don' t try to make one. Wait for the shot and only then take the shot you know you can make. I can confidently say that once you do try it, there is nothing else like it - being that close to a deer is something else. Sorry for being so lengthy in the reply. Good luck and God Bless.