Danny and Squeaky have gone through the exact experiences as myself. I no longer get excited in the least to kill an immature buck. I went through a period of time when every shot I heard stressed me out because I knew it was a 2-3 yr old buck that I could have killed at a later time had they let it walk. I just couldn't understand why someone would shoot an immature deer when they could let it walk and wait on a trophy. Those days are over. I understand everybody don't hunt for the same reasons. I hunt big deer, and I'm not going to let my neighbors ruin that for me. They'll get congratulated evey time they shoot now.
You described me to a t! I used to worry so much about what everyone around me was killing, to the point I was driving myself nuts! I would get plum pissed off over someone killing a young buck. I don't care anymore. I don't give a rip what a feller does on his own place any more. I just hunt my way and enjoy it and I hope they do the same.
This is the same place Im at in my hunting career. I have killed more nice bucks than I probably deserved. I try not to shoot young bucks but sometimes chit happens. As a group at our place we are split almost in half with the guys that don't care to shoot small deer and guys that are still in the killing phase. They will shoot the first doe they see or the first little 6pt that walks out. After that they will hold of on small bucks but its one of the hardest thing for them to do. It used to eat me up that these little bucks were being killed bu I realized these deer were trophies in the guys eyes because they were fairly new hunters and these deer made them very happy. Once I realized this, it puts a smile on my face now to see them enjoying the hunt. We also have the one guy that's gonna shoot a deer just because if he goes hunting somewhere he's gonna shoot a deer. He's been like this his whole life and I don't think he will ever change. He can go to Missouri and kill a 150" buck and than turn around a go to our place in bama and shoot the 1st 1.5 old buck that has 6pts or more and we know he will do it every yr. once he kills the 1st one he will hold out for an older deer. I guess I said all that to say this. I know what deer I'm looking to shoot and if someone shoots the deer that makes them happy,I'm happy for them and we gonna celebrate it. Whether it be a 5yr old 10pt or a 1.5yr old 6pt.
It's hard to kiss the lips at night that chews your a$$ all day long.
