I agree with all of you, a buck of a lifetime is killing one on my own land that I have scouted and put a lot of time into hunting, even if he's not what most people would call a monster buck. The feeling of accomplishment after taking a nice buck from my own property would far exceed that of a paid hunt. But I would never count out the possibility of going on a paid elk or muley hunt, as long as he's not penned up, because I know nothing about elk or muleys and would definitely need the help of a guide who knows the area and the animal. Personally, if I was planning a trip to Illinois or some other record book state, I would pay for the license and hunt public land because I think I could do it myself. I know some people don't have the land, time, or opportunities to do anything other than a paid hunt, and it's a good chance to make some memories with family or on your own, so go for it. Good point made about a "trip" of a lifetime, you're 100% right about that.