"Trophy" is a very relative term. In Maine, the traditional definition of a trophy buck is one with a field dressed weight of 200 pounds or more. Big racks are considered trophies as well, but the first question asked is always "what did he weigh"?

To me, whether a deer is a trophy or not has just as much to do with the circumstances as it has to do with actual size. I've taken a few 200+ pounders, and yes they were trophies, but the small 8 point I shot this year was just as much of a trophy to me, since I successfully tracked him down. Due to the way I hunted him, it was an extremely rewarding hunt, and therefore I consider him a trophy.

Here's an example to think about:
Say I was driving down a logging road and happen to see a huge 300 pound dressed weight B&C buck standing there looking at me.....I get out, load my gun, and drop him in his tracks. I drag him the 50 yards to the vehicle and get him to the tagging station.

Then, let's say I have been hunting a nice 240 pound 10 point with about 130 inches of antler. I track him hard for three days, and finally get close enough to connect. It is a hard two mile drag out of a thick swamp, but well worth it.

In my opinion, the second one would be much more of a trophy than the first example, because of the circumstances surrounding the hunt. Either one would be considered a trophy, but the second would hold more meaning.