I think what outdoor writer is saying that if everybody changed there mentality to adopt a rule of harvesting mature deer vs a deer than it would result in more opportunities to harvets mature/bigger bucks. However it is very unrealistic in the public hunting situations to manage on a large scale. While I have a certain standard/expectation I certainly wouldn't force that upon other hunters. Sure I believe in only harvesting mature deer but that is my own personal belief, makes me happy and my sense of enjoyment. The key is hunting is for personal reasons if you are enjoying being in the woods taking a "dink" well all the power to you. However if you complain about never taking a big buck(bear in mind where you hunt this can be very different from others areas) and shoot the first set of antlers you see b/c you'll never see another or someone else will, then your agruement is full of holes(I am not going to get into this as it is for a different debate).

To the question of what is worthy of a shoulder mount, well I agree with those who said if the deer is mounting worthy to the hunter than go for it. Really what I think or someone else thinks is moot, the guy displaying it, paying for it and harvesting it has to make that call based on their own feelings. I mount deer that have character, score, memory or just plain look good(not always have they scored the highest either). I have actually become quite fond of the Euro mounts and have done my last 4 deer harvested in this fashion, which is another less costly option to shoulder mounts for displaying YOUR animals.

Just do what ever makes you happy