Take heart about your son. Mine is now 26 and has never shot a deer, but now is taking more interest in hunting. He went with me twice this weekend ......saw 6 once and 7 the next but never got off a shot. He was determined not to shoot the spike buck which offered him the only shot. Hopefully next weekend. He said he had a great time and even helped me move a stand I set up in an area for only him to hunt.

For the original question..........I usually keep hunting until the end of season here, but I do not kill the amount of deer you do(we only eat about two). I don't hunt early much, I hate hot weather hunting. I've shot a mature doe so far and am working toward getting a shot at a mature buck(140's), the rut is picking up here with the peak within a few days. I'll keep hunting until the wife lets me know I am overdoing it, then I will slow down.