IMO, you've got the right attitude. Shoot what makes YOU happy, and screw everybody else. If you don't want a small one for your first......that's absolutely your right. That's exactly what I did, and managed a 130" 8 pointer for my first archery killed buck. To answer your question, I was bowhunting for around 5 years, but wasn't targeting a buck at first. I was seriously after a buck for 3 seasons before I shot that one.