Never even tried a peep, anchor and pins. If I were you I would start scouting/learning now. Get out in the woods and check things out, look for sign, when you think you have found what you deem to be a good spot, have a seat with the wind in your face and wait. Learn all you can.

If you can an experienced hunter can be helpful, but not a neccesity, in reality you will learn more on your own through asking questions and experience. It is real nice to have someone show you how to field dress a deer the first time though.

The Tazman

Go without the peep. They are harder to use in low-light conditions, and just one more thing to go wrong (as you have found out). You can shoot just as well without it. Just practice.

Yeah Tazman, I would not even attempt a field dress on my own. I can fillet or steak fish, but deer and turkey are a whole difrnt animal. I got alot to learn.

BUCKGOBBLER WANNABE

I have skinned a few snakes as well...

Better carry a laptop and a cell phone so you can log on and get real time field dressing advice once you get a deer on the ground. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I use a peep for 3-D and the off season, but Before hunting comes around I always pull the peep. I achor with a kisser, the end of my nose and line up the pin with the string for my shots. that figures into 3 achor points and I haven't had and problems with shots out to 50 yards on targets.

Like many have said, with proper and repeated anchoring points shooting without a peep is fine. I have tried them in the past for 3D, but I absolutely refuse to hunt with one. They cause me more problems while hunting than good. I have no trouble hunting without one.