I don't know if I understand completely the intent of the topic.That anybody who say's they didn't take a deer because it didn't reach a certain criteria is BSing? Or are you trying to sort between those who are not full of it and those who legitimately did pass on bucks because of self imposed criteria?
I have had years where I didn't see a buck I wanted to shoot so I didn't.I may have seen 15 plus bucks (a lot for the hard hunted area that I bow hunt in) but if it isn't at least an 8 pointer with certain age characteristics I am not going to take it.
Maybe you could go in to a bit more detail.There are a lot of accomplished hunters who eat their tag because of self imposed criteria.