I am like most of you who are willing to eat their tag if you don't see what you want.For several seasons I have had a self imposed 8 pointer or better criteria.I am working toward if I am not going to mount it I am not going to shoot it criteria.In fairness though I hunt out of state every year (Idaho,unguided) and it is quite likely if I do my part I will have an opportunity at a good buck while on the out of state hunt.
I will shoot doe's for meat at home.

In 25 years and over 100 dead deer, I am looking for a new shoulder mount or a doe. I have 5 mounts and 1 at the taxidermist. My oldest son has 1 mount, and my youngest son has 2 at the taxidermist from this season. I have been doing skull mounts for several years, but I can figure out a good way to display them. I have about 20 piled in the corner of my office. My wife says enough is enough on the skulls.

I feel sorry for you , you and most of the other respondants must thrive on disappointment .

Actually, I've never been happier in my life as far as my hunting success goes. For me, it averages out to 1 mature buck per year, for the last 15 years. Gun and bow combined. 14 bow and 1 gun. No disappointment to thrive on here.

Im 21 been hunting for7 years (since i was old enough) and i have harvest 12 bucks no does not by choice i always miss them for some reason. anyway i have shot 5 trophys score over 120" all mounted so now i find my self extremly picky i have passed so many young bucks its sick even though the freezer is getting empty could last me 6 months and could probably stretch till next year ifi have to. anyway i do feel the same way for me now its trophy only. i have a rule for myself now its either a big doe, a buck that scores over 100" with my bow or a buck that score over 120" with my gun. thats REALLY picky especially in michigan but i normally fill my tags so not to dissapointed

If he cant be mounted I will shoot a doe for meat. We have enough hunters around that shoot small bucks to keep the herd thinned. I like to think I can judge a 150 in buck . I like to scout for bucks and have seen my share of BC's and I have 6 mounts to date And yes I am 43 years old so just in my prime.

I love the meat and the hunt so I do my share of filling tags. I will not shoot an immature buck butshoot whenIwant to shoot. Shoulder mounts at my place are far and few between, the wife don't like em and I am looking for either a boonie typical, weird arse character or a NT. I have only 2 shoulder mounts both excellent WTspecimens in my mind a 6x5 168 net typical and 190 NT. If I never mount another oh well, theeuros and skull cap mounts of 140 plus wts that line my walls have just as many stories as the shoulder mounts and everyone I am proud of for different reasons. I guessI realize that shooting a boonie or something odd is a rare thing and trying to do so every time out is impossible, instead i enjoy the hunt and let the cards fall were they may. It has made me better, more succesful and satisified as a hunter.

I also have as much fun chasing elk and moose as whitetails. More meat. more challenge and something besides just scoring. I guess I am at the stage of just enjoying the whole hunting experience vs what it looks like in pictures or on a score sheet.