Patience and concentration.

Most important skill?  Observation.

Most inportant trait? Patience.

I agree with Rob- two different set of skills.  With that said- I think we put WAY too much emphasis on the "form" idea (I know some would disagree with me!)

The reason I went to trad decades ago was my experience as a collegiate athlete.  Watch golfers, basketball players, quarterbacks, etc.  Believe me, I have taught the fundamentals in a variety of sports; but beyond basic/simple fundamentals, no two athletes look the same!  The goal is personal consistency and confidence, NOT PERFECT form!

No two scenarios in the woods are the same- and I rarely worry about position, angle, etc.  I hear guys talk about hitting high from stands, bending at the waist, etc.  I have never worried about any of that.  Like my basketball and football days- lean left, lean right, fade away, etc. etc,-  After the basics (knowing your equip., consistent anchor, good release, trust), the rest is a "head" game.  Any kid can make a free-throw.  Now take that same kid with the last few seconds when the game is on the line.  FORM has LITTLE to do with it at that point!  Think about that!  He can hit it all day in his driveway- his form is fine!  It is a different set of skills to shoot under pressure.  And that is precisely what we need as hunters.

I find few trad archers who even train/practice the "brain skills" needed to shoot when the pressure is on.  I just think we try too hard to get the perfect form.  I watch guys do it all the time, changing this and that.  What most of us need is to train our brains as suggested by Jay Kidwell's book and other sports psychs.  The difference between one pro and another is NOT form; it is their ability to control their thinking when the time counts.  

My 2C

Dan in KS

persistance

Gosh...that's a tough one.  I think it's a toss up between consistent form and complete concentration at the aim,release and follow through.  

Claudia

I think 80% mental 20% physical if your mind is controlled the rest will come together.      

Gettin Close!

Perseverance, knowledge and skill to stalk close or set-up a close shot at the right angle, the right wind, and familiarity with shooting through thousands of arrows down the practice range.

Not a skill but what I think makes everyone better...EXPERIENCE!

Tuning equipment and stalking.

I'm a terible shot! So for me my most important shooting skill is knowing my limitations. On the contary I am a pretty good woodsman (if I have to say so myself    ) and that lets me be patient and confident in hunting situations to get within my effective range where I am 100% confident of my shot.  

If I had to choose ONE most important skill in hunting, it would have to be the ability to hit what you want when the time comes.

We do everything we can to get a shot opportunity, and it all means nothing if we can`t hit the spot when needed.

have fun . if you do not get an animal on the groud who really cares.
for me it's all about being in the outdoors having fun.
the day that i'm upset about not grassing an animal is the day i give it up.