Did I do the right thing?

[Philo]

Hunted the weekend in zone 3B. Had an opportunity on Saturday morning. Two deer came crashing through the woods. They turned out to be a good doe and a spike. The doe didn't give me a good shot, but the spike turned broadside at about 20 yards and stood there for a few seconds, an easy shot. I let him walk though. I am kind of lamenting letting him go, as it may have been my only chance this year, but I think in the broad scheme of things it was the right choice. Comments?

[Kodiak]

Depends if you wanted the deer for the meat or you were just hunting for horns. If you are meat hunting you have the right to shoot any deer you feel fit, you paid the $$$$. Some people hunt for the rack some hunt for meat, i seem to switch back and forth every year. Last year i passed a ton of doe and small buck shots, this year I shot a 5 point and it was the second deer i saw two hours into the season cause i wanted some deer meat.

[catman71]

i agree. it is up to you to decide. If you are happy - right decision. If you are unhappy, we might be married to the same lady!! Just joking, making sausage with the family is as much about deer hunting as sitting in the woods. hard to do if nobody pulled the trigger. it is up to you tho. Good luck.

[Steve Foss]

What's right and wrong is your decision to make in this case, not anyone else's.

[nofishfisherman]

In my opinion passing on a deer you are unsrue about is never a mistake. He will be back next year bigger and better.

If you weren't thrilled with the deer when you had the shot you are better off passing. At the very least you are building up some good Karma with the hunting gods.

[ddsbyday]

Ya, you did the right thing. I still think about a couple I let walk over the last couple of years. My hope is that someday one of those little guys learns from the scolding I give them to get smarter and that we will meet again. I can't help it,I tell them that they should be dead! It does get there attention.

[rabbit lake dude]

It's all about the rack. Do you want a wall hanger? or the meat. I think you wanted to shoot it! I would'nt feel bad about shooting a button buck, if it's the meat your after. The law allows you to shoot any kind of deer, on your first tag.(in most areas!) I also would'nt feel bad on passing on it. It's your decicion not any one else