Here's a perspective on the risks... Three of the four best bucks I've taken in Pa had been shot at and superficially wounded before I killed them. the one I postedin this thread onmy wall had a shotgun slug wound in his front leg that was healing over. I passed him for two years and killed him in year three. Another buck I passed as a young buck had a very narrow 8 point rack (about 8") but had incredibly long tines also about 8" long. One year later I shot a mainframe 8 with 10" tines and a 14" inch spread from the same spot. By that time he had grown a 4" droptine and three 1" stickers off his G-2's. He also had a healed over broadhead wound above his shoulders. He scored 120" and was aged at 2 1/2.

Passing nice young bucks bucks to wait for a mature buck is a crapshoot. The buck that started this thread may well die before next year. But one thing is certain, if I kill him now, he wont be back next year or the year after that etc etc. I will shoot some does because with two teenage boys still at home,we eat lots of venison. This guy is still safe for awhile. I'm going after his daddy or maybe even his grandaddy first!