ORIGINAL: GMMAT
To take it to the extreme though for those stating age is the only thing that matters. Say you have seen an absolute monarch of a buck with a noticeable scar one time feeding over the summer...The next time you see him is November 23. He is missing his complete left side, and the right side busted off only 3 inches from the bottom...not even the brow tine remains...you recognize him from the scar...would you shoot this buck based on body size alone, or would you let him pass a year finding ita shame to kill a 160 class deer when he only had 3" of horn on his head? Again, no right or wrong...this just highlights how there is another side to it.
I'd drop the hammer on him......and he's going on my wall.....with the trail cam photos, below. This isn't the popular stance. It's mine. If I could find the dropped antlers or a shed....I'd incorporate them into the mount....but not on his head. I'd have him (a true "monarch") mounted as I shot him. What a story that head would tell.
I see your side of the argument, but really, id want the whole bone up there. Just cant see myself pulling the trigger on that animal. Call me superficial, but i want the whole package.