I guess it is tamoteo vs tomoto, each have our own way and somtimes we feel as though the other is belittling our way. Leave it at that on meat vs. trophy.

Bow, I agree a lot has to do with ones given area and limits. I live in Sask. we can harvest 1 whitetail deer wither sex/year regardless of weapon. (yes, 1 deer total - doe or buck) Now we do have some areas that offer an additional wt doe or yearling, but the vast majority of the province is 1 deer. We have a draw and bow over the counter for Mule Deer tags as well. I also live in an area rich with great deer genetics..yep often refered to as one of the MECA's for Whitetail Bucks in NA. So for me harvesting a trohpy is a reality...I know this and am very fortunate as well. But in no way is it a gaurantee. They are big for a reason and it is challange to put a monarch on the dirt much like anywhere else. That being said we have meat hunters, shooters and trophy guys hunting this province...all with their own goals and objectives for what make deer hunting to them. However the meat hunters don't shoot buck, most opt for BIG DOE's, the shooters are the group that look for 120 as min. but as season dwindles and the end approaches they shoot any deer. Trophy guys are just that...some have standards 130, others 140-150, yet others 165 or better. So a real variety...I am in the middle 150 range...but it has to be mature. I have passed many deer that would go 150 but are young, only to shoot a doe or a 140 down runner(over the hill). By practicing this management in my little neck of the woods...the quality has sky rocketed...so much so my standards have changed (when I hunt there) and it is rare not to see shooter bucks in any given day. I now hold out for the one, which is either 16o plus high typical frame or junk (uniqueness). I really get a thrill out just seeing deer and the killing is the last thing I enjoy or care about. Again though that is me, not anybody else. As far as bragging, I don't do this to brag. It is a choice, challenge, experience, education, tradition, satisfaction, meat etc. I don't carry a camera with me anymore, you won't see me post a picture of my harvests here or anywhere. I do it for me, I love and will share my story (ies) with any one who cares to listen. I know you guys like stories and I enjoy them as well...this is why i come here..to live hunting with other hunters. The end result is personal satisfaction, not fame and fortune. Some guys like the attention, I am not one of them. I simply love to hunt and just happen to love hunting trophy deer. I started on this path 15 years ago and since then i have crossed many a road and had mant gut checks along the way. However it is what keeps me going, awake at night and that boyish smile when I feel the fall wind blow. getting out and being with the creatures of this planet, being able to ste my own path and just maybe conecting with my friend I dreamed about for the past 10 months or 10 years. Either way it is me, not you and I bet if you sat down and looked we ain't to different in our reason.

Sorry to blow and I am done with this topic...but I truly think it is great that we have different reasons, as long as we are happy...then we should all be happy for that person. AFTER ALL WE ARE ALL HUNTER's and that the final word.