When the freezer is empty, I don't cut the deer much slack. When the pressure is off, I can enjoy the hunting more and am more likely to pass certain situations. I've never lived where baiting was legal, so I'll admit it turns me off.

Couple of weeks ago I had the biggest deer ever offer a shot. I'd strained a back muscle earlier that week and the old body groaned too hard when I tryed to pull the bow back. Rather than risk tearing something, I just enjoyed seeing a really big one up close. Beautiful sight and I had no regrets other than I'd wished I'd followed my intuition and taken the lighter pulling recurve hunting that weekend instead of the compound. I think I could have pulled that sweet old 40# er that
Dad owned back in the 60's. But I'm glad I was able to enjoy the moment rather than be filled with negative regrets.

I'll bet you enjoyed seeing that buck too.