RE: passed a deer......?
I think it's a good thing at age 16 that you can pass on a shot. It shows self-restraint and that is a good thing in hunting. Don't worry about lost opportunity or should of / could of scenarios. Go out this year and just enjoy being out there.
You will find over your lifetime of hunting that what and how you hunt will change. A deer that you would shoot at age 16 will probably be different than a deer you would or wouldn't shoot at age 50. As long as it is legal, hunt the deer that you want to hunt. Don't worry about what others say and just enjoy yourself. (PS If your goal is to be able to see big bucks in the woods, then I say you did the right thing last year. But that choice is TOTALLY up to you. My first buck was a small basket rack that I would never shoot today, but I am still proud of taking that deer. It was an awesome hunt.)