Nothing wrong with you. Some times you enjoy not killing, more than killing.
Keep seeing that buck every in your dreams and enjoy..

I'll go against the grain here...What the hell is wrong with you you!?! You totally should have smoked that deer. You will regret that for the rest of your miserable life! We need BLOOD!!! Seek counseling or you might as well sell your guns, buy some skirts and take up bird watching. Pansy.

Really, I've had many hunts where I saw deer I could have shot to fill the freezer, but at the moment I felt better just watching them. A good hunter will sometimes show respect, and use a given opportunity to maybe learn something, or just enjoy the moment without pulling the trigger.

It isn't all about killing. If it were all about killing, think about all the wasted trips you have made to deer hunt. It is all about the experience. It is a plus just to get out and see what you can see.

I hope nothing as I pull that same stunt more often than not. I would rather leave a few of the good ones for someone who genuinely wants to shoot one.
Adios,
Gary

I am setting right now saw 5 out past ears good 16 inch or better out walks big wide 20 incher 10 point passed on shot may regret but I'm ok with decision now. He will be a great one for grandchild 135 inch buck I have enjoyed watching them going to hunt about another 1 and half hours starting to rain now try to get some picks hope you find the one you are looking for!

after 43 years sitting thousands of hours in a tree, shooting, tracking, field dressing, dragging, skinning, cutting, packaging, freezing, cleaing up the mess.....sometimes just watching is a lot less work and way more enjoyable.

It is easier for me to let one pass if I have already taken a nice buck. Maybe our thoughts also develop with the deer population we have.

I'm putting in work on my land, to give the does a reason to come more often than they already do. Maybe they will draw in the bucks. If years go by, and I only see does, and dink bucks, I don't care. I've got deer on land I own, and I get to watch them.

They really like hanging out on the rifle range.

This may sound silly but I talk to myself while hunting. One phrase I mumble often is "you don't need to eat the ball to have a great time golfing". It brings things to perspective at times. If all you are concerned about is killing you are truly missing the point in my mind.

It's funny how that works. I find it real hard to pull the trigger Sunday afternoon for some reason?

We lost our lease year before last, but the wife & I didn't have withdrawal symptoms as bad as we thought we would because of exactly what you have said. We still have limited access to a doe now & then but we've found going to the state parks & watching the deer just as satisfying. After 50+ years of chasing Mulies, White Tail, & Elk the old get up & go has just about got up & went!