I think huge heavy horns are so cool. Thats why I hold out for an older buck. I don't feel theNEED to kill something every year. I try my damnedest to get one. If it don't happen then so be it. If it was too easy I think I would lose interest. I use the scoring system as a way of understanding how big the rack looks. I really don't care what the score is. The only buck that was officially scored was done WITHOUT my permission. I put a tape on my deer just to understand how they compare to other deer. I like the scoring system for getting a mental pic. of someones deer when they tell me about it. Gross score ,net score, g- lengths, mass, spread.
I haven't wanted my deer placed in any record book because I believe the books are ruining hunting. Some people feel the need to get that "book" buck and it can lead them to doing illegal things to do it. I believe the books are full of deer that were taken by questionable means. I believe that soon there will be a 2 class system. Deer that are raised and managed to have huge racks and those who grow in the wild. As far as what sized rack buck I aim for, it is determined by what I have a reasonable chance of shooting if I hunt hard and am dedicated. If I held out for a 160+ class deer I most likely never kill one. I base it on what the average buck is capable of producing if given the opertunity to mature.
I don't blame people for doing everything they can to allow the bucks in their area to achieve maximum antler growth. I would do the same thing. Hunting is not a contest to me. If you shoot a bigger (score) buck then me I will be happy for you.
I think the biggest problem concerning score is ego. Those that hunt to impress others are damaging the sport. They are also driving the cost of the sport thru the ceiling.