RE: passing bucks
I too hunt a lot of public ground, but still pass on immature bucks, I look for 3.5 and older. I get so tired of hearing guys say "If I don't shoot him somebody else will", first of all, Who cares? Why lower your standards to the next guys? Secondly, Being choosy makes me work a lot harder at getting a big one, spend a lot more time looking for spots overlooked by others and hunting in any condition, the worse, the better! There are a good number of mature deer on public ground, you just can't be as lazy as the next guy. Put your time and effort in and you will be rewarded, maybe not every year, but it will happen.