My answer lies in the name of the topic. "eye of the beholder". I have shot a spike elk before and at that time it was a trophy to me. However a Spike is no longer a trophy to me. I hunt the any bull regions because I have checked off my goal of a spike elk. I am now looking for one that is a little bigger/older. If we are speaking about elk, then a trophy to me would be something that is bigger/older than what I have already shot. Don't get me wrong, I love the meat, but that is not the only reason I hunt. I look for other qualities now in elk. I just don't feel good about shooting a spike. I don't think it is wrong in all cases. But for me it is. I believe that the trophy really does lie in the eye of the beholder like you said. For this reason, if someone tells me they think a spike is a trophy, then great, good for them. I am happy for them. But I expect the same understanding from someone else about my beliefs.