My standard is whether I will mount him (No jokes necessary. I mean pay a taxidermist to create a wall mount). I have two on the wall and a pile of racks in a box in the basement. The pile of racks are useless for the most part. The two on the wall provide more enjoyment by reliving the hunt and telling others "got him right back there one rainy evening".

I live and hunt in west central Illinois and most any buck allowed to grow will get bigger - generally. Therefore, if I have no intention of mounting a buck, I let him walk in order to grow and get bigger. I have video of one hell of a seven point buck. I imagine in Texas he would have been culled in his youth for bad genetics. He had two points on one side and three on the other with two brow tines - won't score worth a sh1t. But, I guarantee any deer hunter would be extremely proud to have this one. If you could see the video - wow!

An injured buck is a different story. I try to put him down.

Bob R.