Kudos to you, Bones.
Not all hunters are as realistic about maximum shooting distance as you are.
I think it's a wise choice to start out where you KNOW you can make the shot.

The further out you go, the more can go wrong, the more unseen twigs can be in the way, the more wind will affect the arrow, and the more time your intended target has to react to the sound of your release.

Practicing at longer ranges will give you 2 things:
-improved ability to hit things at longer ranges (as you have found), and
-improved confidence when shooting at short distances (as you have also found)

It's a mind game. You're less likely to suffer a bad shot due to target panic or buck fever if you know your shot is well within your 'easy' zone. It's more fun to get close before shooting anyway.


**I think I've heard of "Archer's Minute of Angle" to mean a 1 inch group for every 10 yards to the target.
So, at 20 yards, you should be able to shoot 2 inches, at 30 yds, 3", and so forth.
Keep in mind that you should measure that group with broadheads, and remember that practice at the range is different than taking a shot in the woods. Your field groups will never equal your target groups.