RR, 100% correct. To add a little, one of the other problems in SOME of the Eastern/South Eastern states is the "If its brown it's down" mentality. Shooting the young bucks before they mature. And guys, I live here in Illinois but I haven't all my life. Just a little more than a decade out of the many. I'm from the South East so I know very well how the deer are. I was hunting in NC, SC, TN, KY, GA,FL,AL in the 50's and 60's when some VERY nice bucks were still around in the South East. Back when I only took 140"+ class bucks and they weren't that difficult to locate. Nowadays I only take bucks that look like they just "aint up to snuff" or aren't going to be for the gene pool. I much prefer a nice fat slick head for table fare.

From the OP's last post, it sounds to me like he has a VERY healthy Buck to Doe ratio on his property. So as far as management goes I personally would let those 2 bad boys find them some girlfriends this year at least and put a cap in one either late season after rut and before they shed or take a chance and go after them next year. Just my own personal opinion. You guys paid the same for it as you did RR's