My bad, maybe I jumped the gun.
I see a post with someone that only has 17 posts, asking for advice on basically the eve of his hunt, which of course is a LE Hunt in unit 44, asking if he should wait for the "rut" in a unit that isn't open during the rut, and wondering if he should shoot the first 170 he comes across. I got frustrated.
If you are local, history in 39, and you have scouted this diligently this year, then my apologies. I guess you are just worried the bad winter a few years past and what I would assume is not enough big horns spotted out of your 100 buck to give you confidence, to not eat your tag if a storm hits. I assume the "rut" reference was just a typo.
I've seen good bucks the past two years, though I guess you assume based on the pics I share publicly, I either am a liar or don't know what a good buck is. I would advise this, don't underestimate how quick that unit can empty of deer once a good storm hits. Last few years, they have been real impatient. Take my advice or don't. I have spent a fair amount of time in that unit helping others with that tag, but have not drawn it myself.
Despite what you may think of me, and frankly I don't care, I wouldn't shoot the first 170 buck on an OTC tag, let alone that tag. But then again, I'm okay eating tags. Of course if you have the wall of trophies you allude to I would assume you would be willing to as well. Frankly I don't care if you shoot a forkie for meat, that is 100% your decision, but good bucks can be found in 44.