I never have to go hunting. When my freezer is low, all I need do is step out the door and decide which one I want next. I usually wait for one to make the mistake of eating my roses and then shoot it though. Justifiable venicide!
My last kill the deer was no more than 20 feet away from me. She looked up at me n I took her right between the peepers.
I have a Ruger Super Redhawk (44mag) revolver with a 9 and 1/2 inch barrel that I have used on multiple occasions to kill things that needed killing. But in order to be proficient, you will need to practice, practice, practice! I used a laser bore sighter to give me an idea where things lined up and adjusted the sights from there. Since this is a right handed world it was set up for a right handed shooter and I'm left handed, left eyed. It took a bit, but now I'm usually no more than an inch off whatever I'm shooting at. If I can see it I can kill it!
So get some practice in and soon you'll find that not only can you hit the broad side of a barn, you can shoot the bolts off the hinges that hold the barn door on.
BTW, 2 things, do head shots when going for a deer. A quick death means the meat doesn't get contaminated or stressed with adrenaline. The second thing is, age the meat for at least a week to 10 days. To me it is as good if not better than beef.
N definitely talk with your neighbor to see if he would be willing to put off torching the wood pile. Of course bring along a case of beer to help with his decision.