Thread: Should I have shot this Deer?

No, you've done nothing wrong. That bigger stag is not a trophy in the making anyway.
I'm encouraged to see a young hunter consider the question though. Too often in today's society people don't think through potential consequences of their actions. Leads to attitudes of lessened responsibility which is not good. Considering how deer populations have ballooned in recent times you would do habitat and conservation good by going out and shooting more these days. Not that I'm in a strong position to talk having shot mostly goats and very few deer in the last year. Personally I try to refrain from shooting velvet stags with potential although I admit to having done so when the temptation of prime venison at this time of year was too great. With current numbers it's generally not too hard to find suitable alternative meat animals.
Good job on packing out meat from two stags. I don't think I've ever been that fit or strong.