Wolfhound,
I've never heard of anyone who has had a decent spread in Pike County who did not have good luck every year. There's definitely something not kosher about seeing 2 buckssince '97......are you talkingcalling a good deer over 200"?
Pike County issecond only to Buffalo County, Wisconsin in P&Y and B&C book entries in the entire United States. I have hunted in many Counties in Illinois, all public land, and have seen P&Y bucks regularly. Typically 1 or two per DAY on average. Have seen P&Y quality bucks here in Indiana but only1 or two perSEASON. Last year in Illinois public land I PASSED on mature bucks my first 5 consecutive days. I'm talking about slamdunk shots.On 10/17 I ended up taking the 140 class.
On top of that, in 15 years of heavy huntingIndiana private & public land I have seen a grand total of zero bucks over 140 class. In Illinois there is no real top end limit on what I might see each year. Last year alone, within a 2 week period, Iviewed two 170+ class bucks and videod a 200"+ class buck in September. I tagged out early and never even got to hunt the rut.
As of 2004, Illinois had 2,267 P&Y/B&C entries and Indiana had 487. The OBR doubled Hoosier Record book entries, so that is progress,but it will never bring us close to Iowa or Illinois. If you do the numbers you will see that.
If I saw a 200 class I think they'd have to come get me cause I'd croak. I'd be happy withanything better than the 12" wide 7 point I have. And no I don't hunt the best areas. I'm down in the river bottom that is 90+% cropground. My usual area is a 200 acre spreadthat I have 20-30 yds of timber along a creek bed for about 300 yds with timber on each end (can't hunt either timber)like a barbell. All of it getsdeer drivesevery year. Rather than follow the timber during them they cross the fields since there is zero cover.Last year I got drove over. I see lots of spikes, forks, and does. I only see nice bucks before hunting season and after it. Kinda moot this year anyway since I don't have permission to hunt.