Our season opened yesterday here in IL, but unfortunately due to my work schedule I wasn't able to get out until tonight. Decided to sit on the ground in a small finger of woods that sticks into a grassy field where the deer like to feed. Got out around 3:30 and got settled in. Around 5:45 I spot three does coming out of the woods directly to my right. Unfortunately I didn't catch them immediately and they got through my first shooting lane, but were angling slightly away from me and right into my second lane. When the biggest doe got there she stopped just slightly quartering away and started feeding. I drew back, settled my pin on her, and shot right over her back. I plain and simply misjudged the yardage. I thought she was close to 30, but when I paced it off later it ended up being right around 22-23. After the shot they all ran about 40 yards, stopped, looked back, and continued feeding out of sight.
I never really realized how difficult it can be judging yardage in a completely open space with no trees or other landmarks to reference from. Tomorrow night when I get back out I'm going to pace it off and put a few markers out so this doesn't happen again.

I guess this is why they call it hunting, eh? [8D]