For me, and not so unlike most of you, as I get older my intents are different. When I was 12-21 all i cared about was killing deer and the more the merrier. As I aged just shooting deer wasn't as fun so my goals changed. I took up bow hunting and sure my first deer was no monster (small 8pt rack 2.5 year old deer) but my goal was to get a deer and that I did. The past couple of years I was honored to take a couple of deer in that 140-150 range and since then just shooting smaller deer doesn't really do the trick. Dont get me wrong I go out and meat hunt during slug season with my family but I would rather watch family and friends shoot than myself. I bow hunt for trophy deer (trophies to me)and I think over time as you are able to build your resume of deer kills the small one's just aren't quite as memorable as the big one's. Especially if the big one'sare hanging on your wall. You kind of said something yourself that puts you in the trophy state of mind. If there are 2 bucks, you shoot forthe bigger of the two. Bottom line is rack size does matter, but you still cant make very good soup out of them.