did I do right?

[JHarrell89]

Big bucks show up more often than integrity.

[SB09]

Big bucks show up more often than integrity.

No truer words have been spoken.

[axisbuck]

u did good..make sure you mention it to him..

[2050z]

No deer is worth a friendship. If you were unclear or hesitant you absolutely made the right decision.

This ^^^^^

[CLW]

You made the right call.

[Pushbutton2]

My buddy invited me out to his lease to go deer hunting for the weekend. After I got a small doe in the morning we went back out for the evening hunt. Right before dark the biggest deer I have ever seen in person walked out of the woods (probably would have been 200+) he never gave me a broad shot but starred right at me and thought about shooting him right straight in the front. Well, then I started thinking that I'm the guest here, it's been a long time since someone over here has killed a big deer, it's my buddy's stand, etc., etc. When I looked back through my scope to see him it was to dark and couldn't see anything. Needless to say he walked away and I never pulled the trigger. Was I a fool for letting him walk and not taking the shot? Thanks

I believe you made the correct choice.
I too am a guest on a friends new lease. I was the first one to harvest a deer.
We had discussed this at camp so when the shot presented itself I took it.
However I hunted a different blind later that weekend and had 19 turkey's come to the feeder. I texted him a single word, Turkey's. He replied look for a beard. I didn't see a beard so I didn't shoot, even though I had multiple shots at multiple times. That night back at camp he asked why I didn't shoot one. I simply replied none had beards. He said those are the trophies.... Next time shoot a big one.

We went out again 2 weeks ago. Looking at the trail can pictures this same location had 2 new BIG Bucks show up. I preferred to hunt someplace else. Why? He wanted the trophies, I just want to hang out with my buddies.

My first deer was a group effort to recover. I made a marginal shot. Got excited and didn't allow for the quartering to me when I choose shot placement. Hit him in the right spot for a quartering away shot..

Those were MY choices made of my own free will. I'd make them again in a heartbeat.
I want my buddies to kill the biggest deer possible. I'll even drag it to the road, load it, field dress and/or quarter it for them....
That's me though....

[ShawnG]

Good decision, I bet your friend thinks even more of you now.

[dgattu]

I definitely told him about the deer and he said it's probably the 14 point he has been seeing on his camera. Of course he told me that I should have taken the shot but I still feel better letting him walk although I'm doubting myself now.....thanks for the replies guys I'm definitely feeling better about my decision now

[Stoof]

A wild turkey in the hand is worth a six pack of busch. You did the right thing.

[bronco611]

you did the right thing, a deer facing you is a hard shot to kill and recover in a lot of instances. MY bil who I grew up with and I hunted together for 30 years. 5 years ago in the club I manage I shot a small spike and stayed on the stand. We are allowed 2 bucks in Georgia. An hour later I shot a 225 lb 143 inch 8 point. He has been upset about it and has not hunted with me since and I even gave the deer to his son who had not been able to hunt that year so he and his family could have meat. I do miss hunting with my ex best friend BIL but he never got over it for some reason. But I still run the same club and have a good group of guys to hang with but it just aint the same?

[Kurdawg]

Good job maybe your buddy will get him.

[sir huntsalot]

You'll probably be the first name on his "who should I invite to my lease" list in the future. I would've done the same thing in your shoes. Kudos on showing the self restraint.

[texas shag]

if you are a guest on a place and are unsure on what you can and cannot shoot, you should always keep your finger away from the trigger until you clarify with your host. You absolutely did the correct thing.

[jer_james]

Just playing devil's advocate here, but if it really is your friend, wouldn't he be happy for you? You were invited, and as has been said, no deer is worth a friendship.

Id be ecstatic if a buddy got a hold of a brute like that on my watch and invite.

[freerange]

agreed you made a mistake. If its a friend that wouldnt be pumped for you then thats not a real friend you shoudlve killed him and celebrated. If it was really a 200+ then you kill and repay him somehow if you feel the need. also thats why yall should of talked about possibilities before hunt