I agree wholeheartedly that "as long as it's legal" is often the gateway for SOME hunters to abuse the privelege of hunting. I have shot immature bucks.....I have shot immature does. I usually hold out for LARGE deer of either sex b/c I love venison. I will shoot what is legal , but more importantly, I try to shoot what is legal AND will assist the balance of the area I'm hunting. I often hunt private land and adhere to the wishes of the land owner. Staying within the law is good, but staying within the boundarys of common sense and ethical stewardship goes hand and hand with each hunter's responsibilities. There is a place and time for culling the herd to create large bucks, but that is not the only goal of herd management. Trophy bucks are just that......trophy bucks. The existence of large #'s of trophy bucks isn't necessarily a barometer for herd health. The big picture is what all hunters should be looking at.