here in NJ, you have to shoot a doe before a buck, so by the time i get a shot at a buck i have 1-2 does in the freezer. and as for the size, ill shoot if i feel like getting out and having to trail and gut it. if its a big buck, i usually have a hard time turning that down. but if its cold, rainy, and getting dark fast, or i have plans and its only a small spike or a doe, i could care less.