One of the hardest things for many hunters to do is allowing immature bucks go in hope of seeing a bigger buck, and also hoping to see him again in a few years. Recently I saw the biggest 6 point buck I have ever seen, he was probably well over 100" in antler development, and I saw him and the first thought I had was "man he is going to be real nice next year" and I did not pick up my gun.
For me in South Carolina, this is more difficult since we have such long seasons and liberal limits. It is easier I think in states where your limits are one buck. Wait in hopes of seeing a big one since you only get one.
The danger is that the deer you let go will wander onto another track of land and someone else will harvest him, but that is the risk - reward scenario. I am confident that the people who hunt the adjoining land will shoot this 6 point if given a chance, and now I second guess the decision. But that is the risk. All I can do now is to hope he will make it through the season and we have a chance at him next year. I know where he lives, and when September comes around in 2009 I know where I will be hunting.
It is also difficult since in SC there are no real "trophy" bucks, very few ever exceed the 130" mark and an extremely few make either of the books. So in a relative sense, I can only hope I will see him again. My advice to those who are accomplished hunters is "let 'em go and let 'em grow."
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