thanx guys! good stuff!!

Jeff, i know we cant ALWAYS be sure, but until recently, ive never cared a bit...honestly without this forum i wouldnt know scores or age....but im learning..trying to learn. i THOUGHT i could go by rack size...but im finding i simply havent seen enough bucks up close to be accurate...i need something more to help...thats where body shape and size plays in, for me. if that 1.5 yo hadnt been in the scene that evening, i may wrote him off as a dandy 1.5 yo because i simply had nothing to compare too...but he kinda dwarfed the 1.5yo all around....wasnt a ton bigger, but visibly different body shape and size...i really dont CARE....i make the ultimate decision and there are alot of factors that play into when i decide to shoot or not to shoot...but its nice to know what im passing or what im looking at....age may factor into what i shoot....i'll take that 2.5yo half rack over a 1.5yo basket 8...simply an older deer that survived 1 more season of PA hunters...i feel like im starting to accomplish things JUST by seeing bucks that are older...my area is heavily pressured and most of our bucks are still taken every season...i really wish i could send him into hiding till the end of january so i dont have a decision to make, and would know id have a 3.5yo stud on my hill next season...lol....

but, its hunting. there are no absolutes. decisions to make and live with. that was still a VERY awesome hunt, and i feel VERY rewarded, already. just by knowing first week of the season in the heat, i could killed a 2.5yo buck...a 1.5yo and 2.5yo buck walked DEAD down wind of me within 10yds and both crossed a trail i walked over 3x that day...that taught me my scent control practices ARE working and i need to stick with them...and, my tag is still unfilled...so i will continue to learn more by hunting this season....and, the chance to kill a big ole boy is still available....Rob buck or not, i may take him, later. i know if he had both sides i wouldnt had to think about it...so later, i wont be as picky if he gives me another shot the last week or 2....if i dont already have a different buck down....