Trophy-my 1st deer-a yearling Doe at age 15 looked pretty darn big to me taken in 1958 in Ill. (private land)with a wood arrow & stick bow & then the forky in Ws. (my 1st buck-public land) in 1964 was REALLY a TROPHY to me & then this Buck a couple years ago on Public land (pic).
I pass on little Bucks now but then I have been bowhunting 48 years & your idea of a trophy changes over the years. I still Bowhunt tons of public ground & with very good success. I am fortunate to live in the midwest where big deer live & I bowhunt Ill., Iowa & Ws. on a VERY regular basis & 95% of my Deer Hunting is on PUBLIC ground. Some of my public spots have fewer Bowhunters than private places I know of.
I will never critisize someone for taking what others deem LESS than a trophy-we don't know the background of that hunter or the place they have to hunt. I know some guys who see great bucks all the time BUT, there is a reason-they either hunt property bordering some type park, sanctuary or very limited to public access. Some are NEVER privvy to even SEE what I deem a trophy-personally, I have my sights set on a 160 class or better this year BUT then I did last year & my 1 Buck tag per year is hanging over my desk. Oh, the Buck in the pic-I never scored cause I really don't care about record books but I do have lots of respect for those who manage to get in them the HONEST way.