Brian,
The other day I had to drawdown on a six point buck because that was the rules eight points or more.(Private land) Shortly after that I had a squirrel that was annoying me, he was a 15 yd. shot I drew my bow string, and the first thought that came to my head " are you going to eat that squirrel" No, I drew down, and one minute after I did, he went to a different area.
God made all the animals, and he said for us to have dominion over them, now that doesn't mean waste, feeding yourself and others with what you harvest is important. To hang it on the wall, may be important to others, but they may have lost the feelings that you have. You're nothing more than a good conscious hunter in the woods. If you choose to hunt.
I also shot a button buck onetime, 30 years ago, with a 30 30, it was so far away the first shot wasn't even heard by the buck, it landed between its feet. My friend was with me Jim, he said raise it 8 in., I did, and the button buck dropped right there, I thought he was dead on the spot, so I left the gun back at the truck, it was a spinal shot, I will never forget having to cut that bucks throat.
I also had another spinal shot at a water hole with a bow, I had to use another arrow.
You will have choices, and those choices will turn into your memories. And those memories will make up your character has a hunter.
Carl