GH , I've read through all the posts. Have a little to offer.

First, I wouldn't trash the mechanicals. I don't think that's the issue.

You say you've never killed a deer with a bow?? Well I have, about 35 of them, so I hope you'll take this as sincere, experienced advice:

I will not shoot over 30 yards. Period. Most shots are 20 or less.Sure, deer can be killed at longer distances, but there's too much of a chance that something will happen. Any problem at all, string hitting clothes, fletch clearance, flinching, etc etc, will only be magnified at that distance. An average doe is a good sized target at 20 yards, but give her more reaction time at 35 yards and the fact that the kill zone"shrinks" because she's further away and you're asking for trouble. Yeah, you might kill some deer that far, but you'll miss and injure a lot, too. You owe it to the deer to make a higher percentage shot than that, especially until you get more bowhunting experience under your belt. You can kill a million with a gun, but it won't mean a thing with a stick and string.
The proof is in the pudding. If 35 yards is ok to shoot in this example, and if you aimed right behind the shoulder like you said, you would have had your first deer with a bow. The fact that you didn't is good evidence the shot was too far to begin with. Too many things can go wrong at that distance.
I'd be more impressed with your ability to get closer , not make long shots. After all, that's the true beauty of bowhunting!!

I hope you see this as helpful and not critical. Best of luck to you in the future!