Opinions will vary greatly on this board as to whether to shoot either deer or not. There are a bunch of "if it's brown it's down" guys that shoot the first deer they see. I find it very hard to judge deer in velvet, but personally, I wouldn't shoot the smaller buck especially if you think he is only 2.5. I would have to see the larger buck again before I could make a definite call on him. He is a nice buck though.

Good luck on your hunt, and I hope you get to see these two again.