After reading this a questions came to mind
."True" trophy hunting is the best form of management. Some people who only kill bucks call themselves "trophy hunters" but this is far from what they really are.
I get a kick out of guys who shoot 1 1/2- 2 1/2 year old bucks and call them selves "trophy hunters" lol.
Let the bucks get some age on them. Where I hunt we dont/wont/cant shoot a buck unless we feel he is 5 1/2+ years old, most of the bucks that are taken or 6 1/2 - 7 1/2. The average buck will not reach his full potential until he is 6 1/2 years old. There is very little reason why people should shoot young immature bucks, other then "ego" reasons.
Let's say I have 10,000 acres high fenced that I manage for QDM. Myself and 5 other guys hunt this property and we are on it in the off season putting in food plots and loading the feeders frequently. Do feel that this would actully condition the older deer not to be leery of humans. You would have to admit that is very light hunting pressure and a deer could be a few years old before it see's a human. They would grow acccustomed to smelling man with out alot of danger. You bringing them their food.That's no reason to fear you.
Come hunting season they hear a few shots and then it's over for another season. Once again many of these deer are never put in a predator prey situation. No reason for big bucks to become nocturnal,right?
If a buck has little hunting pressure and a good deal of human contact. Is a big rack a good indicatator of a trophy?
Why would the larger older deer be as leery of man as a deer on heavily hunted piece of property?
So what's the big deal if your shooting older bucks on a managed property if they aren't any smarter then a 2.5 yr old on public land?