Not everybody wants to grow bigger deer. Lotta people hunt for meat. Earned it? The question (I think) didnt say that you didnt have shot opportunities, it said it was the last day and there werent deer in the freezer. If season was open for a week and he made it to the end of that week, with a shot opportunity on the last day, did he earn the right to live til next year? I try not to shoot small bucks anymore, but some people are too hung up on antlers. I think it ties back to the respect thread. Shooting a young doe for meat, then letting the boys walk because you want to try to outsmart them later.... If it's about hunting a smart mature animal, try to hunt for 4.5y/o+ does as well rather than something to show off. Does have offspring and themselves to look out for in the beginning of season, then later theyre harassed by bucks, then chased hard at the end of season when people are trying to kill meat, they get smart quick. I think the only reason they might be killed more often than a buck of the same age is because the bucks are fewer in numbers.