It's about the challenge of shooting what the individual hunter deems "his" trophy. I will echo others, no one is telling you, that you have to shoot mature deer or a buck that scores xxx. Shoot your trophy, shoot what makes you proud and/or puts meat on your table. We will congratulate you. But in the same breath don't hold it against us because we choose to hunt for different reasons. We bought our tags too!

In my opinion if I was too shoot a deer for meat it would be a young doe. And I'll argue with anyone who says a mature buck (or doe) tastes the same.

But "my truth" is ..if I want good meat, the local grocery store is full of it. Give me a filet mignon over any cut, of any deer..everyday!

So why do I hunt? Easy..I love to hunt, I love to watch animals in thier natural setting. I love nature and being one with it. I love how I can sit on a clear morning and watch the sunrise, and think,how lucky of aman I am to have my wonderful, loving and supportivefamily at home stillsnuggled under their warmcovers. It brings me inner peace, and it brings me closer to God, and it brings me pride in what I have, and what I still plan to accomplish in my life-time.

I carry a bow, because if that majestic buck steps from the fog, with his sapling polished antlers gleaming. My heart gets racing, my instincts kick in and I'm gonna do my best to put his memory on my wall to relive, time and time again.

I love to watch smaller bucks..I've had my days when I shot them with the same pride that you feel. Those days for me, were great. I've moved beyond that, that doesn't mean I'm better than anyone. It means to me, that I've moved past the ending of the hunt being how I gage the success of the hunt. Just being there is what I relish now. I hold out for better bucks..and I have the unused tags to prove it! Don't judge me..I won't judge you. We will both have happy days afield!