Patience in every aspect of the sport. From shot selection to time to develop into a proficient archer. It just don't come easy. You've got to put in your time to get good.

Dedication and Practice.........  

for me, if you are talking about hunting situation, it's "picking a spot"

before, all you need it's a constant practice ...

The persistence to stick with it long enough to practice your shooting ,woodlore and patience until it becomes second nature. I have shot deer that came chasing a doe through the patch of woods I was hunting that I don't even remember drawing my bow. The focus , picking a spot ,anchor and selecting the shot is all natural ( Instinctive ) to me .Next thing you know is you see the arrow in the spot you have picked . When it all comes together it is what we do and I love it!

Small game hunting helps build this confidence, as does bow fishing. Rutting Carp remind me of rutting deer
   


Jack

Spot on shooting is the most important. How many times have you heard.  I  MISSED!!!!! You can get as close as need be, but if you can't hit the ground if you dropped your bow what good does it do you??

My main concern in my "hunting skill" is concentration...My mind will take care of the rest

the first order of "business" is to get your rig tuned correctly and then get good with it. this will give you a tremendous amount of CONFIDENCE which will allow you to go forward to focus on the next stage which will be your hunting.

i truly believe a lot more folks would be doing trad if they had a bow that was set up correctly.

CONCENTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becoming efficient at X amount of yards. Getting within X amount of yards to your quarry. Doing both consistently.

Knowing when the only shot presented...calls for a pass.

I haven't read this entire thread, so it may have already been said.  But to answer the specific question -- What is the most important shooting/hunting SKILL?  

Without a doubt it's hitting what your aiming at!  Whether your a proficient at 5 yards or 50 yards, shooting a self bow or 7MM, you HAVE to be able to hit what your aiming at...or else you should be hiking, NOT hunting.  Even just in shooting...if you are hitting what you are aiming at consistantly (the other items have or WILL fall into place).

I understand the kill is not the only thing the hunt is about, but if you are carrying a weapon in the woods -- hitting your intened target is the first and foremost skill you need!

There are too many skills to name, but one of the first things that come to mind...well practiced and confident bowhunters that hold their composure when the oportunity presents itself is key. When it comes to Bowhunting, its all about getting close. Too many people these days have forgotten that.

Concentration and repeatability. I'm still inconsistant in the anchoring area, but I'm working on it.

Practice,patience,persistence,and confidence come to mind quickly

Having your whole Heart in that instance! We all know practice and  persistence, confidence, etc is important. If your NOT their, your not!

If I'm worrying about home and work, it ain't going to happen! We all have done the routine, but at the end of the hunt, what reason were you out there?

It takes both hunting skills and shooting skills, but you must have patience to allow these hunting skills and shooting skills to come together on a close but unaware animal.

I got two..

Being able to hold it together at the shot.
Most importantly being able to enjoy the days with no shots thanking GOD for the blessings of the day.RC

Amen to that RC!  Amen.

Shoot straight, Shinken

CONTROL

Patience, concentration, and hunting skills. Most everyone has a distance they can hit consistantly at but they gotta get close enough first.