Thanks very much LebeauHunter! Greatly appreciate the comments....

In-regard to the buck I passed - yeah I hear you! Only a few years ago I would have given my....... well, you get the picture.

It's amazing what seeing some HUGE deer can do to you're opinions of what you may or may-not "enjoy" shooting. Like the late season muzzleloader hunt when I film my good buddy Andy Nevar passing that beautiful 3-1/2 year old 140 class. Yeah - we could have had the kill - but as we pointed out - sometimes you just have to eat a tag to really appreciate the moment when it does all come-together (regardless of how many years that may be).

I've eaten a tag in Illinois the last 3 years, and don't regret passing any of the dozens and dozens of P&Y animals I could have killed because for me, I enjoyed passing them more than I would have shooting them. Hopefully the karma gods will be shining on me this year in Illinois in my 4 year running waiting for a big mature buck! Maybe this will be the year - regardless I know I will enjoy the hunt!