I've been thinking the same thing. If he breaks anything off I will probably let him walk in hopes he comes around next year. Will be a true giant with a little more mass on him. Had him within 15 yards this morning but never had a clean broadside shot.
Good for you for not taking a bad shot. I've seen big deer make people do some very very dumb things.
Awesome buck! Glad you got him!
—just kidding 
166 1/8 gross, 161 4/8 net unofficial.
Congratulations.
Aged him at 4.5 and got a second opinion in support of that. He just showed up back in late July / early August with what I believe is a 5.5 year old I have history with around the farm. The older buck disappeared the 1st of September but this guy has stuck around since. His routine was starting to change a little so glad I got him early enough.
I have a hunch that loss of habitat in the vicinity pushed him this way.
