labgrade,
I always calculate in the "Excitement Factor", it cuts shooting distances in about half. Harvest lots of animals in my life, still get out of control excited when I see big game.
Had a good 500 pound bear in my sights this year. Got so excited, forgot to draw the hammer back on a new 45-70 before I pulled the trigger. Lost that opportunity. A week later, shot at a buck 3 times at point blank range before hitting the spike right next to him. During bow season, had a bull elk at about 50 yards out. Beautiful animal, the one's you only read about. I just watched him for a few hours, never bothered to even draw. My maximum shooting distance with a bow is 40 yards. At the range, it is 80 yards. Wheel guns are about 50 yards, 100 yards at the range.
Always tell people, shoot your maximum distance (the pie plate thing) and then, cut it in half. It is usually a bit more realistic. It works for me anyway. Other than a cougar that charged me this season (he took a few hits), never shot at anything that got hit and later lost it. That is, if it just did not drop dead on the spot.
Robert