I know he's a young deer but he's the biggest I've seen on the farm all summer and I'm afraid that hunters on bordering properties will shoot him. I'd love to let him grow though.
If he would make you happy to harvest than by all means harvest him, maybe talk to surrounding hunters to get on the same page you are with only harvesting mature deer, I know it may seam hard but it's worth a shot to try
If the deer makes you happy by all means shoot him! If you want him to be bigger than let him ago, Be PROUD of what you harvest and don't let others talk it down. It is an accomplishment to harvest any animal with a bow
Sorry.....so sick of this question. If you're happy shoot...if not don't. Hunting is far to personal to change your hunting styles due to others...only time that occurs if you are hunting someone's ground with minimums set.
Can we make this response a sticky? Now, on the other hand, if you are so convicted to only harvest deer of a certain age or have state laws about spread or points, well that's a different matter (but say so). ~Bill
Shoot em then sell the property and buy somewhere else. If your neighbors can let deer get to 2 1/2 years old then you will never have anything bigger then what is in the picture. Sorry to be so blunt !
I think you already answered your own question. Seems like deep down you want to let him walk. I try to not set myself up to have regrets later on. I try to imagine which way I will have more regret, letting him walk or taking him. For me personally, that would be taking a young deer but everyone's different. You'll have weigh both and decide for yourself.
