ORIGINAL: GMMAT
This post STILL makes me scratch my head:
Let's say you've patterned this buck.....and you know his home territory.....you've even narrowed down his core area. He's a 4x4 (good buck for your area)....and he's proven to be a worthy adversary over the last 2 seasons. You'd be tickled to death to be able to add this 4.5yr old to your list of "accomplishments" in bow hunting. He'd be another (or your first) mature buck for your memory bank.....and/or your wall.
You finally have your chance....Nov. 12th....a cool morning....as he's walking towards your tree you've chosen. That's when you notice it. He's broken his left side off.
Is this deer ANY less a trophy or an accomplishment than he was with both sides?
I say no. I'd shoot him and be proud of the accomplishment. I'm really scratching my head at some of these answers by some of these hunters. I realize there's no wrong answer. I'm just surprised.
Judging by the description of this scenario, I can only think this is private land/no pressure, because of your ability to pattern the buck, and establish his core area. This being said, I'd let him walk in hopes of getting a shot at him the following year when he would hopefully have both sides of his rack. If not, no big deal. It's only a deer!
