Treevet.... Actually, i don't "fumble" at all with my rigging. Everything I place is methodical and swift through lots of practice. I don't unnecessarily haul ass though, even if I have another project in the day. I suppose some people get away with being a little messy in their old age and I like to keep things nice and neat
I've rigged down over 200 large trees so far, some up to 5' dia. Having never broken anything of the h.o.'s, never dropped overhanging limbs on a garage or house, shed, meatlocker or toolbox, I think I'm doing alright so far.
I'm not sure what age has to do with it, except that I haven't sold out to the "more miles per day" crowd yet.
As far as "afraid to prune a damn oak tree"....
My reasons are propperly stated as not wishing to butcher something which is quite beautiful, has been around hundreds of years longer than your 59 some odd, and will be around long after I'm dead, hopefully.
I prune Pines and other stuff often, but these oaks are all permitted, and I don't want to F&CK it up, so excuse me, if I don't just hack away at it without knowing what I'm doing, just so I can finish the job as soon as possible!