i let them walk..public land or not.....i only took 2 longbeards in my life...2yrs in a row....last year i let myself hunt ONE monster longbeard...and never killed him...didnt have a jake come in late in the season......but i still think id let him walk.....im just more after long thick beards and sharp spurs.....but ive been known to get trigger happy on other game....so i wont say id NEVER kill a jake.....and if one came in and didnt strut and had a beard that wasnt sticking straight out id more then likely flatten him.....but them little stubby beards that stick straight out and its early in the season id more then likely let him walk.......you can tell i dont make my mind up till the shot is presented lol....all depends....if i feel froggy i just might leap.......im young and only got 2 spring birds to my name....so who knows lol