Maybe I don't understand this post. I wouldn't even consider a hunt that wasn't 100% fair chase of free roaming animals. If it wasn't, it'd be called shooting instead of hunting. Another thing I don't get is everybody saying they don't care about antlers. BS, Everybody is impressed when they see a big deer with huge antlers. A lot of people will never even see such an animal. I love hunting whitetail deer, I live on the venison that I killed and I hunt from Sept. until mid Jan. For burger and sausage, you can't beat big bucks or does, you get more meat on bigger animals. For tasty steaks, chops or loins, you can't beat the 1 1/2 year old deer. In my case the does need thining out to keep the ratio in balance, so I shoot them for all my tasty meat. Then I love to hunt for BIG bucks. They are like a different species. I think it really tests your skills to match wits with big bucks. I am competing with no one but myself. I do it for me. Its what I like. A personal thing. In short, with the length of most deer seasons a person with reasonable skills and an enormous amount of time ( like I have ) should be able to get all the tasty meat they desire and still have the oppertunity to try for a big buck. If you get one great! If not, Still great, you still got to be out in the woods enjoying yourself. That is what hunting is for me. Some one is always going to get a bigger deer than me. good for them they probably deserved it. But I still feel good about the skills I've accquired from hunting big bucks. Big horns means mature animal, different playing field. It may not be for everybody. That's why its to each his own. Make yourself happy. But don't say you don't care about the horns, just say you don't have the time for such a commitment. Big horns are cool, who wouldn't be pleased to take such an elusive animal?