most guys would take the male pheasant because most places it's the law. Shooting one is no more difficult than shooting a hen. both taste the same. Difference with a buck is that it will never get any bigger when you shoot it small. Therefore, I don't see the point in shooting that small buck (there are exceptions, ie first buck, kids, population control, law etc.) So many guys on here complain about never seeing any big bucks, yet will shoot the first small buck to cross their path. It just don't add up. That's like telling a 4th grader not to play basketball because he isn't tall enough. Nobody knows how tall he might get once he matures.