Only you can set the standard by which you determine how big--or little--of a bull you shoot. Sounds like you've established that there are some 300+ bulls in the area. You also mention that you'd like some meat for the freezer. There are few things better than a nice brazed and slow cooked elk steak!Are you holding out for a once in a lifetime trophy, or do you plan to keep hunting elk even after getting a trophy. Some big 5 points have a symetry that makes them more attractive on the wall than some bigger 6 points. Do you have to get it mounted? If you take a smaller, nice bull, you could do a european mount or just put the skull plate on a nice plaque (without the expense of a full shoulder mount). Later on you could still have a should mount done with it on if you choose. I'm a meat hunter myself, but have a lot of respect for the discipline you trophy hunters exhibit as you hold out for what you want. I may go that route someday, but just love the meat too much to go home without it if I can help it!