Yes, my standards have changed.

I used to care a lot about the size of the horns. Now, I hunt for the enjoyment of the hunt, and the meat it provides,although I usually give most of the meat away to family members that don't hunt, but love deer and elk meat. I don't even consider size of horns as part of the decision.

In Washington, Deer and Elk Archery seasons overlap. I hunt elk, and while hunting elk, if I get a good shot opportunity on an adult deer (doe or buck) that will not interrupt my elk hunting (I.E. I'm not on fresh elk tracks, not 2 miles down in a canyon, not first thing in the morning, etc.), then I will take it. After elk season, I will take a deer under different circumstances, but it is not based on the size of the horns. I allow "How I am feeling" to infuence whether I take a shot or not. I don't feel compelled to take every shot opportunity that presents itself. Some days I just enjoy watching the deer walk by.

I can honestly say if I had two deer together, and I could choose which to shoot, I would pass the bigger, older, fully mature buck to shoot a 2 - 4 year old buck or doe.

The one standard that has not, and will not change: I will not shoot any animal on my own property.