ORIGINAL: GMMAT
The Hanson buck (if I'm not mistaken) was 3.5 yrs old.
If you'd pass him.....I'd say stick to your guns.
I'll shoot ANY 3.5yr old or older buck. I "might" shoot a younger buck if he gets my attention.
Good luck with your choice.
Thats kinda how I roll. Only I prefer to only take mature deer (4.5+)... but I may shoot a 3.5 year old buck if he gets my attention.... couldn't have said it better!
In general.... hunt for you.... if you are happy of the buck you take.... then shoot that joker! From a biology standpoint, yes I think a 3.5 year old deer has a better chance of surviving a rut/winter than a 4.5 year old.... but from a hunting standpoint you stand a better chance harvesting a 3.5 year old deer than a 4.5 year old.... they don't get old by being dumb, and they don't get any dumber as they get older. I haven't shot a buck in over a decade now because I'm just too damn picky, and thats fine, but I've never shot anything that I've had to make an excuse for either.