If it's a natural freak rack yeah. If broken , nope. That's just me and I'm fine with it if somebody else does.

We have plenty of deer and some good ones so count me as lucky I reckon.

First off wonderful buck and congratulations. I always say shoot what brings you joy or sustenance for some. I know when it's go time and brings me joy... I personally would likely let him go if broken that significantly in hopes of seeing him the following year in all his glory...  A smaller broken tine is not limiting too me. A whole beam or a character/special key tine it's a pass. A mature unique non typical likely gets the go signal. I passed this buck this year at 12 yards unawares as he just didn't bring the obvious signal and he's deformed not broken (I called him unicorn as that left beam/tine is easily 15" or so):

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I was fortunate to shoot a wonderful ten point a few days later, but guess what? He had a broken brow tine that I did not see... He still brought me all the joy I need and that rack was on a 200+ pound Iowa 11:00am cruiser in 75 deg November 9th weather. I was ecstatic and praising God for the wonderful gift/blessing

To each his own as they say...

I'd pass.

Here's the one I mentioned earlier - cant see a few small burr points on the "Y" side.  These are from this fall, and he's a 4 1/2 yr old buck. Probably 240lbs on the hoof.  Would you or wouldn't you? 

If I get a crack at him next year as a 5 1/2 yr old I will.

R


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I'd pass


Deno

 Ryan - Why, yes I would! 

Here is a unique buck my brother in law killed in archery this past season.

I'd seen him a bunch of times last year and got this picture of him from my tree. It's a little tough to see but the right side of his rack grew into a little 3 point crown.

My BIL had a bunch of pics of him on his trail cam over the summer and we were surprised to see how wild that right side grew.

He just got him back from the taxidermist last week.

Yes sir!  If I had a good opportunity I'd sling one at him.  He got them back straps and what a thrill.  I mostly hunt from the ground now so yeah, I'd try him

Passing up 4 and 6 pointers sounds to me like you hunt horns not deer. AND most everybody else here hunts deer.
Can't eat horns no matter how or how long you cook'm.

The question would have to include where you are hunting and the amount of hunting time you have in front of you that season.
Tedd

Weelllll, if I shot the first buck I had a chance at , my season would be over way too soon most years . So I hunt deer and antlers , get to spend more time at it that way .

By the way I shot 2 does and no bucks last season and had a great time . Last doe was 2 days before season end, so I dragged it out about all I could.

Everyone has their own method to the madness. If you wanna shoot a spike go for it .

I say shoot what you like and like what you shoot.

Yup . . . Dead!

I'd have to see a picture of the whole buck not just a skull mount before I'd decide to shoot it or not. 

If I lived in an area where I had multiple tags, I would entertain the idea of passing on him. However, as a North Dakotan that doesn't own enough land to apply for a yearly gratis tag, many years the only deer tag I get is my one bow tag (I know I could hunt out of state, but I'm not quite at that point in my hunting life).  Add to that I'm in it mostly for the meat. So, if he was within 20 yards and slightly quartering away from me, I'd take the shot.

Ty brings a great point- we have unlimited doe tags for I think $7 so wanting the meat isn't the deal here. So depends on available tags , deer population , and how bad you want one... 

I don't hunt deer for food, I hunt deer to hunt deer.  If I figured deer hunting at cost per lb of meat taken home it would be more expensive than buying wagu, I'm sure.  If I was required to shoot the first buck I had a chance to shoot, every year, I'd probably give up deer hunting because a 2 or 3 day season every year wouldn't be much fun.  I bowhunt deer (and other big game) because I love to do it.  I never worry about eating tag soup, that just means I had all the fun I could for that year.  I work to make money to buy food, we also raise our own cattle and butcher one every couple of years for our own use.  I hunt deer because I love to hunt deer.  I eat the ones I shoot, but frankly I'm not interested in eating several deer a year.  I pass up young bucks and focus on older ones because I like the challenge. I dont shoot broken up bucks because I dont.  As the kids say "You do you!" 

R

Some great incite into the "hunters" mind here.  Great posts.  Thanks

I would take that buck in a heart beat on the first day.

To me its like killing an animal that would be a trophy next year but with a broken antler I normally dont shoot .
I have had several big bucks come by with broken tines and main beams and have passed .This year the biggest buck in the area had his main beam broke off in front of the g 2 he broke it in velvet early in the year according to my trail cameras. I had him at 12 yards in Dec but never shot he would have been a high 150" buck and only a 4x4 .He may still be there next year something to look forward too.

Ryan Rothhaar X 2.