Hmm…..

I guess it’s just a matter of your own Priorities.
Let’s face it if you just want to make in the record books you can buy your way in.
There are plenty of ranches around that have record bucks that you can KILL for a price. (Notice the use of the word KILL -vs- hunt)

This is not the case for the vast majority of people in the record books. Most are very skilled hunters that should be admired.

But, I think that what makes a trophy is a personal matter.
This year I Took a good sized 7 point buck. (Darn that missing tine)
It is the first buck that I’ve gotten on my own property, which I bought in the spring.
Because of that it represents not just a hunt, but 10 years of hard work.
I will hang it proudly on my wall, and it will be MY trophy forever.