When a hunter shoots the biggest specimens, it ensures the greatest continued genetic diversity in the species. Being older, the largest elk/moose/bear/deer, etc., have already passed on their genes, to several younger generations.
Think of it like milk stock in the store. The store wants you to always take the oldest dated milk - ensuring that the stock on hand will have the best chance of staying fresh.
The younger animals will cook up better, but continuing to hunt only them, over a long time, will cause the species to become less healthy.
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