Im not sure what the point really is behind getting a "Record Book Buck" all you get out of it is a little glory, your name in a book that means nothing, and big rack on the wall. Id never register any my record book bucks, its pointless. Sure it would be nice to get a big big buck, but too many people have forgoten the true sport of hunting. Its not about how big a bucks rack is, its the memories of the hunt, time shared with family and friends, teaching a youngster the ways of our father, etc. To too many people its become a competition for glory and fame. Come one people get back to your roots and remember what hunting is all about. Personally Id rather shoot a 180lb buck than a 180 class buck. You cant eat the antlers anyway. Heres my bow 2005 buck, I passed up a big racked 10 for this guy, why??? because he gave me a comfortable shot and he had a bigger body, maybe next year for the 10.

well put..

I haven't seen too many 10 points with small bodies That is a great looking buck!

Well putif your after average bucks... When you have been in the woods for over forty years and have passed on large bucks most hunters never see in a life time, average bucks are a dime a dozen. They make mistakes that well seasoned bucks never make. If I wanted my season to end early I would shoot an average buck. For me that would be way to easy, the path of least resistance. I teach my kids to aim high, for mediocrity is the devils advocate. Welive or die by our choices.

If you consider deer hunting a true "sport," (your word,)you want to excel, improve and grow. You don't put the LA Lakers in the same class as the University of Kentucky, do you? I have hunted 40 years, trained up two sons in the hunting "sport""the way they should go" (if you will) and the higher caliber hunter you become the more narrow the focus on what you will actually take. It isn't all about the trophy (which I also enjoy) but the challenge and improving the skill. How much skill and challengedoes one have to have orexpress in the pursuit of an average buck? If I'm after the first buck that comes along, that doesn't allow much time to spend with family and friends in the great outdoors.

I average over 40 days in the woods huntin' the monster, I'm relentless but not at the cost of relationships. How many memories can you possibly have if you shoot an average buck that takes a day or two to hunt. Not very many days in the classroom of higher education...

You mentioned the word "sport." What "sport" isn't competitive. Somebody wins, somebody loses, unless your a spectator.

You are correct when you say it's not how big the bucks rack is, because it is all symbolic. I want a monster that has been on this earth for 5 or 6 years and has eluded hunters successfully year after year because 2 Poppa is willing to put the time in teaching his children and friends not to be average.

Greatness is the goal and my aim is true...

Amen to what 2 Poppa says. Because none of what wis bow huntr says makes any sense. Entering your deer into the record books is a personal decision just as not doing so is. I have a friend who has 20 that never entered them. I have 7 and entered all of them. To each his own. I do it because I believe in the P & Y organization and that the money I give them directly helps the sport of bowhunting. Therefore, it's not pointless. Secondly, forgetting the true sport of hunting? What are you talking about? Any deer sporting a record book size rack is like hunting a different species. A mature or record book buck is much harder to hunt much less kill than just your average buck. Since I started trophy hunting, my hunting skills and deer knowledge have grown by leaps and bounds. This increase in skill and knowledge makes ME feel good. I do it for me! I'm not trying to impress you or anybody else. If you want to shoot average racked, big bodied bucks good for you. Congradulations on your nice buck. Big racked bucks make my heartbeat go crazy and actually increase the memories of my hunt. I also hunt with my son who has taken a record buck. It was his choice to hold out for one, I told him to take whatever made him happy. Another benifit of trophy hunting is that it generally means MORE time spent in the woods. More learning, more fun and more memories. I don't compete with anyone but myself. Here's another one, ALL of my record book bucks weighed from 180 to 220 Lbs. Average is 205 Lbs. So I get a decent body size to go along with the record rack. Presonally, I believe that the best tasting and most tender deer in the woods is the 1 1/2 year old doe. With the abundance of antlerless tags available these days, its like having your cake and eating it too! So don't tell me to remember what hunting is all about, I think I already know. Its your own personal decision.

180 Lbs. 143 "

Right on GregH and 2 Poppa!!
I like playing in the big leagues. I have worked hard enough and am glad to be out of the minors.
As for spending time with family and friends, thats all we do, hunt big bucks, talk about big bucks, and dream about big bucks.
Oh yeah, and kill big bucks.
Go Big Or Go Home!