We shouldn't put hunters down for shooting small legal bucks, but at the same time it is no less honorable to be a trophy hunter. Each of us has a different standard as to what qualifies as a trophy and what gives us satisfaction when we hunt. In other words - to each, his own. I know several "trophy" hunters that are great guys, who are not obsessed by their pursuit. They feel no pressure to succeed. They do it, because they enjoy it. Actually, I don't know a single trophy hunter who isn't in this catagory. I'm sure obsessive ones exist, but I don't believe they make up a significant percentage of trophy hunters.

My own goal is to simply kill a bigger one than I have in the past or to kill it with a more difficult hunt. I love the challenge and I love the hunt. I am not hard to live with if I don't get a big buck. In fact, I derive a certain satisfaction from passing up several small bucks each year. It leaves me with the knowledge that I don't have to kill to have hunted and to have enjoyed the hunt. Sometimes I lower my standards if the season is coming to a close and I haven't seen any sign of a deer in the catagory I'm looking for.

The pleasure I feel when having succeeded in my goal is far greater than the one I would have if I shot the first deer that walked by. The fact that I've chosen to hunt like this, doesn't mean I expect anyone else to. I hunt for my own pleasure, and no one else's. I expect everyone else will do the same.