For California...I'm shooting before a Mt Lion gets him

To small, looks like a 1 1/2 old to me.

I'd let it walk, looks like a 2 -2 1/2 year old. He could go another year or two, just depends on the shooter.

If you have a couple of other larger bucks on the property I would let this buck walk.

Without a doubt, I would take a shot at that buck!

factors that need to be known.
Area?
is this a good size deer for the area.
Is there alot of pressure?
what are your personal goals?
is there the genetics needed to grow them bigger?

Take what people are saying as opinion only.
Only you can make the final decision when the time comes.

And I'd agree in you area 100%. In Southern NC or SC, that's a good deer, in your area, he's a young buck still developing.

Well he looks to be in velvet???
Which means he still has some time to grow...
He may not be a huge deer but he would look good on anyones wall, IF THEY CHOOSE!!!

Only if he was trespassing on my land!!!

I do have no trespassing signs up.:poke:

i think it shouldn't matter to you what everyone else thinks. if you choose to not shoot a deer because of what other people think, you probably don't understand the true meaning of "hunting".