Last year was the first year I held out. The goal a 4x4. It wasn't a huge one, but it had nice conformation and was heavy. Definitely a lot bigger than anything I'd ever shot before. This year I didn't have the time I wanted, but hunted three days. Saw 29 bucks, a couple really nice ones, but couldn't put it together on those ones.
Still, I think both deer and elk (and antelope) are for eating and decided on the last day I knew I'd be able to hunt to take a legal buck toward the end, if an opportunity should present itself. Shot a small buck, just at the end of shooting light, by a closed road. 2 mile drag, on a closed road, downhill, in the snow to the truck.
I had a few days of really fun hunting, learned a few things I'd not known before, and still ended up with the meat I so do love to eat. Next year I'll take a few more days off and feel confident in getting a 160 to 170 class animal--though something smaller will do if I really like the looks of it. I'm not sure I'll ever be willing to give up that great muley meat like the die hard trophy hunters.
Sweet buck brushbuck15! Why don't you post a new thread with photos and a story?