Here's a perspective on the risks... Three of the four best bucks I've taken in Pa had been shot at and superficially wounded before I killed them. the one I postedin this thread onmy wall had a shotgun slug wound in his front leg that was healing over. I passed him for two years and killed him in year three. Another buck I passed as a young buck had a very narrow 8 point rack (about 8") but had incredibly long tines also about 8" long. One year later I shot a mainframe 8 with 10" tines and a 14" inch spread from the same spot. By that time he had grown a 4" droptine and three 1" stickers off his G-2's. He also had a healed over broadhead wound above his shoulders. He scored 120" and was aged at 2 1/2.

Passing nice young bucks bucks to wait for a mature buck is a crapshoot. The buck that started this thread may well die before next year. But one thing is certain, if I kill him now, he wont be back next year or the year after that etc etc. I will shoot some does because with two teenage boys still at home,we eat lots of venison. This guy is still safe for awhile. I'm going after his daddy or maybe even his grandaddy first!

Hey Bob, Since you know that I know that you know that I know where you honey hole is. You should just show me your stand so I don't have to stink up the place looking for it and let me end this debateand l'llshoot the deer. Sound good, OK then I'll meet you at the bottom of the hill Saturday morning.

Sounds fine to me. Be there about 10:00 AM at 10:05 take a deep breath and hold it till I get there

But seriously, I could show you my spot, but then I'd hafta kill ya. And I was just startin to like ya!

Hey Deer 902 I'm shooting you a PM!

If you're like me Bob, the one risk I can't help taking every year is that the little one walks, my tag is preserved and maybe....maybe, a nice mature hog steps into my shooting lane and THWAAACK! All the risk pays off in spades.
And if not, I can live with it, because "I'll be back"

When one like this comes by, I sometimes act exactly like I wouldif I were planning on taking him including coming to full draw and then letting down. To me thats really what the hunt is all about. When I come to full draw and the buck is unaware I silently mouth the words "I win".

I like to call it catch and release bowhunting. If that means I still have my tag at seasons end, so be it. Theres always lots of tasty doe backstraps in the freezer.