I think you missed the point of what I was conveying about the "stranded" scenario.

I don't think I nor anyone else downplayed what goes into stalking a large mature deer. I certainly know that those who do go for the big boys, spend plenty of time studying and patterning them and I certainly did not say "there just aren't mature deer where I hunt so I shoot whatever I see".

My point is that not everyone should be forced (antler restrictions) to take an animal that is classified as a "mature" animal by someone else, and when I say someone else, I mean the people that lobby to get such rules implemented. I hunt for one reason, and one reason only, meat. I have never mounted a single deer or elk that I've taken. I simply cut off the horns and either toss them in the shed or nail them to the wall in the barn. There are PLENTY of mature bucks where we live, corn fed country, and plenty of opportunity for those who seek them to harvest them and that goes for a good part of the country. Granted, they might have to work a bit harder, or hunt longer for them, but "to the victor, goes the spoils".