I have a hard time with a congratulations as well. A "no pass buck", or any type of animal for that matter, doesn't exist without the right shot. I passed a 330 class bull elk on my first ever elk hunt this year because I couldn't get a shot behind his shoulder. I was within 12 yards for 10 minutes, had body and head to shoot at, but no ethical shot was offered by him, so I didn't take an uneccessary chance.

I'm glad you recovered him, but you are lucky you did.