yes not knowing is always the worse, and second worse deal is, holdig out for him, after someone else killed him and you don't know
and worse yet is if you passed on some great bucks holding out
been there done that, NO fun for sure
if it was me, I would be working as hard as possible to find some folks with apple tree's
and start stock piling apples, and adding them as often as you could, to keep prime food there, and try to kill him openening day
he is a fine buck, and worth the extra effort if you can swing it
the fact he made it 2 gun seasons, is good, but could also mean he goes nocturnal , making deer like that very hard to kill LOL
best of luck for sure!