This is what happens when you let them grow!!!
 

So I had this guy we call superwide within 15 yards twice last year and while it would have been the widest buck I've ever shot and would have looked good on the wall I had to let him grow.

He made it through the winter and is still running around my land, I think I might have to try to harvest him if I have the chance.

Last year in velvet and end of season.





This year in velvet

Nice. Most people's motto is "If I don't shoot him, someone else will" and that's a simplistic and morbid view of the situation. More often than we realize, others may pass as well.

Looks like a pretty good buck. Might be a good year to put him on the wall, looks like he didn't out many inches on over the last year. Good Luck!

nice deer, but I don't see why letting that buck grow is a big deal.

If raising deer is a thrill so be it, but there are 300" deer to be had if letting them grow is the game.

Letting them grow is the game for quality deer management.

Continue with your brown it's down game and enjoy

Unfortunately, the simplistic view is often reality. We experienced that with a LARGE 3 year old with a nice 10 point rack last year that we were hoping would reach 4 or 5 and be a monster. Neighbor shot it and was so excited to see a decent buck he shot it poorly and lost it. Found it after the coyotes got it.

Well my house is a firm believer of pass little bucks Son passed 3 little bucks and about 20 does last year to end up shooting his 150" 12 point. Sons 11 yrs old I'd say I'm doing something right there.

I'm not saying it's wrong one way or the other.

If you want deer meat and have an over population of hunters verse deer, then there never will be a quality herd to manage and select from.

If you can as well as people around you use QDM, it only reaps benefits and not hurt you.

People around us use it, it works well. We typically have a few 150+ and usually at least one booner shot in our valley evey year. Also have a lot of nice ones on cam that we only get once or twice on cam and never hear about someone shooting it.

Good move in letting it go. I don't get to hunt near as much as I used to but I'd rather hang one on the wall every few years then shoot a basket rack every year.

Only by some. And less than you think. Bottom line is you can join them or do your part to fight it. I choose to let young deer pass and hope someone else doesn't "Brown, its down" it.