Some folks kinda skirted the issue, which I thought was a good one. What is an acceptable group at 40 yards to allow you to think about taking a shot at 40 yards in a hunting situation? Ya gotta get proficient and then shoot that one arrow. Many times before I leave for an afternoon hunt I'll shoot 5, 10 twenty arrows so two hours later my "first arrow" isn't my first. I've shot one or two or three arrows a morning before leaving for work as well and it does allow for better concentration and for making every shot count, BUT I've got thousands of arrows shot going into that session of 1, 2 or three arrows. I've looked at thousands of groups at 20,25, and thirty yards over the years. If anyone thinks they made that one shot count without the benifit of good groups they've been hunting too long to remember when they first started out and couldn't shoot one arrow close enough to another to even call thier six shots a group. Repitition of form, muscle memory, etc. etc. Without a bunch of groups behind you will be less likely to make that one shot count!
When I was shooting at 40 yards I always tried to be within three inches of center. I could have pulled it in plenty tighter, but never practiced much at that range and my hunting situations don't lend themselves to farther shots. Perhaps a new bumber sticker is in order: Archery Hunting- it's a group thing!! Enjoy, Juniorpc.