I couldn't agree with this more! Yes, my main goal when I go bowhunting is to try to kill the biggest buck that I can. I love big whitetail antlers, I won't lie about that. I'm still on my search for "the big one". I have spent around $20,000 going to Alberta to try to kill my dream buck, and have not done it yet.
I have been chastised, and brow beaten for this kind of spending. Not to mention what I've heard about the use of a guide, which you must have by law to hunt in Canada. You know what though? Even though my results have been meager (I've only killed 2 small bucks up there in 4hunts), I've collected hunting memories that many hunters couldn't even imagine. This past season I missed a shot at a 150"+ buck (my biggest yet), one of MANY big bucks that I'veSEEN up there in the last four years.
Also, this season I saw rut activity that I could have only dreamed of! I saw 10 different bucks (some that I got video of) by 1:15PMin one day! I've seen moose/coyotes up there as well. It's the WHOLE experience in that beautiful countrythat makes the hunt. I don't have to kill a big buckup there to say my hunt was a success (it does help).I have many pictures to prove this too. Attitude is everything!