I have let a lot of them walk and never had second thoughts. In addition, I have never been sorry I killed a deer. When I decide to shoot all the doubts are gone.

I pass up deer every year and most of the time I have no regrets because most have been legal spikes. There have been times when I've gone w/o fillin my tag, its hunting and I enjoy the woods regardless.
I have passed up a couple 6pts that later regreted to this day , but its was still an experience watching them walk .
Over all no regrets , doesnt hurt to let some walk .

I have never passed on a deer then failed to get a bigger one. I have, however, shot a smaller one then not been able to take an opportunity at a bigger one as a result. In MI where I spent most of my years hunting deer there is a two-buck rule, so few big ones around. Very often I shot a smallish one then kept going out hoping for Mr. Big but it never happened that way.

Here in IN we only get one buck, so I'm sure I will be forced to make a tough choice one year soon. There is a Booner or two on the property I hunt but I only get about 2 days a year there. This year I thought I'd only get opening morning so I shot a pretty runty one. Then I unexpectedly got another morning out later in the season and had to pass on a really nice 8-pt. Oops.

i'll let you know when the WI DNR comes out with there regs for the upcoming season.If the DNR turn my hunting unit back to EAB this year maybe i'll wish i shot one of the does i passed up.Its not a real great deal knowing you have to harvest a doe before you can take a buck.

I know this has been painful due to the incompetence with which it has been implemented in WI, but the concept has some validity if properly employed. Areas I used to hunt in southern MI are massively over-populated, yet they keep allowing 2 bucks and just extending the antlerless seasons. Problem is most of the hunters will not shoot antlerless deer so the population just keeps growing. My buddy was out for a late antlerless season and said he saw deer everywhere, took 2 does himself to cap out but didn't hear another shot all day. They also cap the number of antlerless an individual hunter can take so those WILLING to take does can't take as many as they otherwise would. I WISH they would enact EAB and force the issue for the benefit of the herd and the land (and auto drivers).

no regrets here! i do regret a few that i did shoot in the past (ground shrinkage)

Have never felt bad about letting one walk. I know if I'm lettin him go its because he's only gonna be bigger next year. I have a little fight with myself inside sometimes, but have always felt good about my decision afterwards. Have been many years I've gone empty handed because of this. A couple years ago my nephew was hunting a public pc of ground that is a bow only zone. Was his second year hunting and shoots a giant while sitting on the ground with his cousin video taping the entire thing. Awesome hunt & deer. This deer set the bar very high that year. I let several nice big shooter bucks go just waiting for one like his to come by. If I could shoot straight it woulda paid off. As I missed an awesome 10pt 165-170ish buck just 50 yds from where he shot his 4 days earlier.
As for letting does go, no way, always gonna be another shot at one of those.

Nope!

Have not let one walk yet..

If you let a deer walk it is not the one that will make you feel accomplished.hunting for most is a passion.goals are made and we strive with all we got to achive them.meat hunters are out for meat and trophy hunters are out for trophy's to each his own. I have been more than thankfull for passing good bucks for the trophy's I have got.Hard Work and perseverance pays offAttachment 6983

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Have boxes of 3-D archery trophies. Archery and I get along. My confidence level ran high when I sat in a tree waiting for deer. I could smoke a 3-D deer target all day long at 50 yards.

One windy snowy day about 30 minutes before last light, sunset, out comes walking on a trail is a 160" class buck walking very slow and easy with his head down giving me the perfect broadside shot. He was about 43 yards away. I knew all I had to do was draw, aim, grunt to stop him and let the arrow fly!

At this point my maturity in trophy buck hunting started to grow as I managed to pass up 2 sub-PY bucks in the same area.

As I readied for the shot, something inside me told me to not take the shot. My confidence wasn't shaken, but the voice inside said to not take it... and maybe I'll get another chance another day if I move my stand.

I didn't take the shot that day and never saw him again.

Do I have regrets? Yes and no, but up to today I knew I made the right decision; back then, not so sure. LOL!

iSnipe