If someone shoots a legal buck and is happy with it, it's nobody else's f'n business. This snobbish antler worshipping mindset B.S. is ruining hunting. Some people like to eat venison. A couple more years of our current economy and I'm sure you'll understand the importance of this benefit of hunting even more so.
I have no objection to trophy hunting, do it myself. When you look down your nose at others for having a different belief system than you, my friends, it's time for a serious self-evaluation.
Meat and the experience should be the main focal points of any hunt. Not long ago this was the only reason to hunt. Today's hunters are just trying to carry on a previously life sustaining tradition. This tradition no longer has as many consequences or benefits as to the success or failure of the outcome of the hunt.
As with all things, time has altered hunting and it has evolved into different things for different people. For some it's still about sustenance, tradition, experience and family. For some it has become a sport of egos and oneupmanship. I feel these people would be better served on the golfcourse.
My grandfather used to show me pictures of deer harvested back in the 30's-40's, huge deer tied to the old model T, some as large as 40" wide. What did they do with the racks, they tossed them. In a period of history when people struggled to live, they saw no value in an object that gave them no benefit. I think for many people antler obsession has taken the place of the golden calf.
Personally I will never enter an animal in the record books. I don't see how this can feed anyone's ego, it's not like they created the animal.
I will still continue to hunt for magnificent animals, I will continue to harvest lesser animals when I feel the need or desire and I sure as hell won't be making any apologies or excuses to anyone for doing so.