Killing an animal would be shooting it and leaving it to be eaten by another. Harvesting an animal is shooting it and then consuming the flesh for human consumption. There is a difference. Most hunters kill coyotes, but harvest deer, squirrel, bear, rabbit, pheasant, quail, and others. Also, permanently relocating with extreme prejudice is the technique I use for snakes, opossums, raccoons and skunks.
It's honestly so hard to say on this one... I personally would let it walk, I would however encourage my other half to shoot it due to the fact it would be a good first buck for her.
I know the whole neighbors thing though, I've passed on a few and that I wasn't so sure on do to what you are thinking (I hunt in Vigo county as I'm assuming you do). I've had a nice conversation with the neighbors though on one occasion about how they will never shoot a big buck if they continually shoot the small ones every year because they will never get big.
It's honestly a personal choice. If you've shot bigger I saw pass, if not consider it.
I would also guess he is 3-1/2 years old. He's a little thin but still will fatten up some by fall. Since you hunt the 160 acres I guess I would ask what other sized bucks do you have on your trail cameras? If he's the only one then I would try and wait another year and let him produce the herd more. If you have other bucks on the 160 acres then I would be tempted to harvest him this fall. It's a hard call. I passed up a long shot last gun season on a 10 pointer on my land hoping to get him this season. He's not been on my trail cameras anymore since mid December so I think someone else might have gotten him during muzzleloader or late bow.This deer is on a 160 acres of private land. I'm a meat hunter first but fill the freezer with does so can be a little picky when it comes to a buck. I let a 2.5 year old 10 walk last year only to have the neighbor gut shoot and lose it. Found it eaten by coyotes a couple weeks later. My guess is this deer is 3.5 and would score in the 130's.
I would also guess he is 3-1/2 years old. He's a little thin but still will fatten up some by fall. Since you hunt the 160 acres I guess I would ask what other sized bucks do you have on your trail cameras? If he's the only one then I would try and wait another year and let him produce the herd more. If you have other bucks on the 160 acres then I would be tempted to harvest him this fall. It's a hard call. I passed up a long shot last gun season on a 10 pointer on my land hoping to get him this season. He's not been on my trail cameras anymore since mid December so I think someone else might have gotten him during muzzleloader or late bow.
Killing an animal would be shooting it and leaving it to be eaten by another. Harvesting an animal is shooting it and then consuming the flesh for human consumption. There is a difference. Most hunters kill coyotes, but harvest deer, squirrel, bear, rabbit, pheasant, quail, and others. Also, permanently relocating with extreme prejudice is the technique I use for snakes, opossums, raccoons and skunks.
I agree 100%-kind of like getting an animal "put to sleep"by a vet.Little pet peeve here, nothing personal: it's not corn, it's an animal, KILL it. "Harvesting"an animal is PC bull crap trying to pretty it up for the bleeding hearts. Again, nothing against you, I just really can't stand that phrase.
He is the nicest that I have on camera this year but have multiple 2.5 and younger 7 and 8's. We have set aside about 50 acres as a sanctuary so no cameras there. There are definitely other mature bucks on the property but until the rut might never see them. This is last years buck and the biggest body I've ever seen. He had been shot the year before and grew this crazy rack. So far the only deer I've had mounted. I loved his size and character.