Just something to ponder over when your getting to the point you feel is good enough.
Here is a link to some very early groups I shot when I got my first bow, and a couple of shots I made with the last one I picked up,
Groups
When I got into archery I had the great fortune to have a very close friend who had been into it for a LONG time. He also has a pro shop close to his house who employs one of the areas top tournament shooters as well as one of the best shots I have ever seen in person. The two of them helped me get rigged up and sighted in and away I went. I surprised them both with what they said was a natural ability to simply pick up and run with it.
If you notice the small orange ear plug on a couple of the targets, they are roughly 3/4" across the widest part of the head. In most cases now after shooting for the past 4-5 years, I can easily hit them with amazing regularity out at 40yds. In fact I do not even attempt to shoot groups any more than necessary due to ruining arrows.
My point is not to brag about my ability, as even though I can shoot decent, my hunting record on deer is somewhat dismal. Out of 4 that I have attempted, I have one on the ground and it ducked the shot and turned in the process. Then it hit some 6' tall grass, and we lost it to the weather, before finding it. Yes it made me sick for several days, especially knowing we had walked within 3 yards of it on several trips through the grass trying to find sign. The others I never even connected with and with the exception of one, they were all less than 20yds. Hogs, and squirrels well I get them with regularity, but they do not pose quite a big a challenge as a deer. Deer rely on reflex to survive and can do some of the most unusual contortions you have ever seen to get out of the way. Granted they are not the same everywhere, but here in Texas, they have that reputation and they live up to it.
Aside from the above, I am using Flash Point .019 pin sights, and I find them perfect for the type of hunting we do. When you go to the pro shop look over several brands and types to compare them as best you can in all available lighting. If they will allow you to mount them even simply to look at this is also a plus as well. Many look good held up in the air but not so much once mounted and looking across the strings.
Broadheads come in a thousand designs, my choice after tring over a dozen has come down to the Slick Trick Razor Trick. It is a compact 1" cut which will slice through the thickest hog with little to no resistance. Deer don't stand a chance against them. My friend and his wife have both had them drop within 6 seconds of impact usually within a couple fo yards of being hit. (Me I just need to hit one.) I can however say the hogs do not make it more than a few yards as well and they are plenty tough to drop close.
Arrows are like broadheads, plenty to choose from, just be sure you match the draw weight with the arrow spine, and your usually good. I am fortunate in one way that I am allowed to hunt with my friend. He has, as mentioned, been at it for many years and seemingly tried it all. I went with his reccomendation and purchased the Axis 340 FMJ. They are fantastic. Are they the best for the buck, probably not, but with the hogs we shoot they hold up VERY well and the slip right through following those BH's with no issues. That said I have several dozen Carbon Express arows which are also very accurate and do the job well. They just don't hold up to the torture we put the others through back in the brush on the hogs.
Do yourself a favor and like the others have mentioned, get in with one of the 3-D programs and go shoot as much as you can. This will teach you to judge yardages, and trust your shots. Most times they do not allow range finders which is a plus. In the woods use your range finder to predetermine the distances to landmarks and you will be ahead of the game.
Hope this helps.
