Hate to argue this point but I don't hunt for meat, I hunt because I like to. Lets face it the time and effort most people put into hunting these days it is cheaper to go buy meat at the counter. Of course the ethical answer will always be "I hunt for meat, to hell with the Trophy". The fact is most trophy hunters donate the meat to people who need it. Deep down inside all hunters want the big trophy on the wall that they can brag about with all of their buddies.
Last elk hunt I went on cost me a lot of money.
$45.00 Hunting license
$110.00 Fuel 600miles/15MPGX2.75gal
$180.00 Motel @ 30 per night, couldn't camp in hunting area
$100.00 Meal, drinks, snacks incidentals 7 days @ 14.28 per day
$140.00 Processing fee for elk, too hot to let hang outside
$600.00 Missed overtime from work 20 hrs
$1175.00 Total
600lb cow elk (no antlers on the wall)
300lb carcass 50% live weight average
215lb processed after de-bone and trim, plus friends and family wanting some
$1175/215lb=$5.47 per pound
Granted I could have done this hunt cheaper, but like I said most of us don't hunt for meat we hunt for love of the hunt. I got to hunt on private property for free and got to deal with less hunters than on public lands that is why I couldn't camp. Before you go and say you are strictly a meat hunter take time to consider what you spend to do what you love in tags, gear, transportation, leases, property and time. I could have bought a lot of T-bones for 5.47 a pound but the hunt was Priceless!