i have been bow hunting for 5 years and only have taken (1) 4 pt. and only shot one other time (long embarassing story). I have let many deer pass (not as many as many of the people - maybe 5-10 bucks and 30 doe in those years??), but usually not by choice (too far away, running, didn't get my bow up, doe with young, small does/bucks....). I have to admit, if I have my bow on a buck at 20 yards I would shoot 9 time out of 10. I don't need a trophy to validate my hunting. Bow hunting is hard enough. I'd be as happy with a spike as i would a 10 pt. (well maybe a little happier with a 10 pt ) I also hunt where there is moderate to high pressure and a lot of state land - my feeling is, if I don't get him, someone else will. With all that said, I do enjoy watching the deer when I don't shoot. Hunting is fun (sometimes frustrating) no matter what.