You should do a poll asking peoples' opinion on AR, then have them identify what type of hunter they consider themselves to be. I would assume that the majority of those strongly supporting AR will be the folks who place a high priority on hanging a big rack on the wall at the end of the season. I could be wrong, but i think that there would be such a correlation.
I think you are absolutely right. If everyone was being truly honest, that's what a poll should reveal. I have nothing against those who want to hunt the big bucks, but I really detest being giving false facts that AR's are somehow better for a deer herd. Anyone who really stops to look at it all objectively should clearly see that as far as the deer are concerned there could be NO difference if any buck is allowed to be shot in comparison to AR restrictions given that an equal amount of does are also allowed to be shot under either scenario. The benefit might be to the hunter who values trophies, but there is surely NO benefit to the deer herd.