It absolutely is. I live in North Alabama so I know quite a bit about spotlighters. There are a lot of guys that might just shot anything they see but most will absolutely go out looking for big racks to shoot after daylight hours.

Is it the biggest cause? Probably not but it doesn't help.

As to wasting meat that was probably a poor choice of words. My intent, because I have seen it personally, was to say that I have seen more than one buck carcass with the rack cut off being left to rot.

I guess what bothers me is that trophy hunting is all about being able to brag. I have never been able to have anyone convince me that taking a 4 1/2 year old is better than taking a 2 1/2.