Look at the Zaft buck......reguardless of the foggy details That is one freaking awesome deer. However when iy was scored it turned into "Just another big deer" score wise anyway. Now say what you want about that deer but damn I can't see how someone would think any less of it just because of some arbitrary number assigned to it from a group of strangers trying to sell a book.
The decision on the scoring of this buck was HUGE. It meant the difference between being an archery world record typical whitetail with all of the monetary rewards and residuals or as you put it "just another big deer". Hence Zaft's disdain for Pope & Young, and a reason for disappointment. I don't think anyone looks "down" on the actual animal because of a scoring decision.
I just view "scoring" as a search for validation or approval from others and a tangible way for guys to say that their deer is "better" then others.
Maybe I am reading you wrong, but it seems the essence of your post is
disparaging to those who are interested in scoring their bucks. Therefore you get the comments like you alluded to.
Your opinion, and one that you have every right to have, is fine. However, the words you use to describe your reasoning are very belittling to to a large group of upstanding and outstanding hunters. If you had said something like "scores don't mean that much to me because every deer is a trophy in my eyes" I could understand that just fine. But to make the above statement is down right offensive.
I can't possibly comprehend how someone could be disappointed or feel less about a buck they killed based soley on some ficticuos number given to that animal by a total stranger working for a money making book seller.
Perhaps there are some, but I don't know of any true bow hunter that fits the above description. Many hunters have bucks scored that though they qualify, are not listed in the "money making book..". The numbers by the way, are not "fictitious", they are factual. Actual measurements, real numbers. Of course you know that because you had one measured.
I know of a guy that killed a buck that scored 169 7/8". He really wanted to net that 170 mark and qualify for Boone and Crockett. Was he disappointed in his buck or the experience because he missed it by an eighth of an inch.? Not at all. Was he disappointed that he didn't hit the 170 mark? Sure, but it doesn't make him feel less about the buck!
When I look at the totality of your posts, the one that seems to be hung up on scores is Atlas.
