Mr. Whitetailblaster,
I really didn't become a trophy hunter for the trophies per se'. I tagged out on the first day of archery twice, early in my hunting career, on smallish bucks. I know how depressed one can get, knowing that their buck hunting is over even before summer is over. I began holding out to preserve my hunting time in the woods. As time ran by, and I got quite a few bucks under my belt, I began to want to take ONLY bigger bucks no matter what time of year. I think you are confusing trophy hunting with trying to take the bigger of two bucks you are presently staring at. there is a difference there. If you truly become a trophy hunter, you will pass up a smallish buck on even the last day of hunting for the year. Very few will do that, but I happen to be one of them. I think you should kill whatever you are happy with, especially at your age. Don't feel obligated to take or pass any legal buck, based on things you read or hear from other guys. I have often said that I never really know what I will choose to kill until it is standing in front of me. I let my natural instinct dictate. I find myself never picking the bow or gun up at most deer that come to me. I just trust that when I finally do see what I am after, I will automatically begin to draw or aim at it. If you do become a true trophy hunter..be prepared to go without a deer, sometimes for many seasons in a row.

P.S. Good luck finding him. You sound like you are a highly motivated hunter for 14, and wiser than your years. The smell means there is blood and tissue sprayed on the ground from the shot. I hope you nailed him good.