I find that playing things by ear and going into the season without some sort of a game plan often leads to a disapointing season.

Yes, my standards may change halfway through the season based on the activity of the deer in my area, but I always go into the season knowing what I'm after and what I'd like to acheive.

Since I started hunting, I've become more of a trophy hunter. I'm not saying that I hunt strictly mature bucks [yet], however; I hold out until the last few days of the season before deciding I'll stick a doe. We're only allowed one deer a year in Washington, so I don't have the benfit of being able to fill the freezer early with a doe and holding out for mature bucks the rest of the season.