I just curious as to everyone's opinion on shooting small public land bucks. This is why I ask:

Yesterday morning, I found an extremely fresh set of buck tracks (in my own footprints) so I followed them. I eventually found a rub line and a big scrape that had been rained on the night before. So this morning I set up by one of the scrapes and about 8:45 he came and worked it. He was a pretty large bodied deer, but a pretty small 6pt. It would be kind of rewarding to get a deer that I worked for, but I would like to see the little bucks grow. Of course the only problem is that I'm on public land and most people's philosophy is the "if it's brown it's down." I'm gonna go back tomorrow morning. What do you all think?

if there is no managment program in place, i wouldn't pass on any public land deer. (unless you have pegged one deer in particular)

mines well your "neighbor" will end up shooting it neway..imo

IF YOU DON'T SHOOT SOMEONE ELSE IS GOING TO.

I agree with those guys... if there's no way to ensure that the deer grow up, then it's just left up to your own standards. If you like the buck, would be happy with it being this year's harvest (or part of it) then go for it. If not, let it go... a "if it's brown it's down" guy will love it

You have been working hard for him. Kill it and grill it.

Your choice,what I would do does not matter

I see this going the route of all the QDM debates.If it is an animal you would be pleased with if you were to kill it,then kill it.
I am not a big fan of the"if I don't someone else will logic"maybe someone else will maybe they wont,if you kill it somebody did.If that is to be your only reason for taking it then I would think that is a mistake!If it makes you pleased and/or proud kill it,if it doesn't let it walk.

I have always approached this situation as: if I shoot it, then Iknow its dead and has zero chance to get bigger, but if I let him go, he at least has a chance to get bigger.

If you want him, take him, if you dont want him, then don't shoot him just because someone else MIGHT

Is this a 6 point you would mount and hang on your wall? If the answer is no, I would say let it grow. The only bucks I have ever shot were the one's with a rack I would be proud to display. If I don't get the shot, at the end of the season, I shoot a slick head and am done. I think young slick heads taste better anyway.

No matter what I feel though, its your decision to make.

Have a good season.

Then start working on getting permissions for private land and you don't have to worry about this kind of call again.

Good Luck