Hi Quilly,

Certainly more and more land is posted, thats a problem in every state. However, since eastern MA has gotten alot of deer and attention lately, you would be surprised at how some of the states existing public lands in the Berkshires are getting alot less attention. Also to mention is the fact that hunter numbers are way down in our state from just 10 years ago. I currently hunt public land (State Park) in zone3, although our access is through private land. I hunted Mon-Wed and never saw another vest of orange except my buddy. Sure, there are some guys hunting there, but not the hordes that you would have had in the past. We saw deer browsing and acting natural rather than running scared, which was refreshing.

I know that Zone 4S's public lands are getting very little pressure right now. This zone is NOT known for high density deer these days, and I feel thats the reason why. But, there is alot of land, and the deer average a bit heavier than the other parts of the state with higher densities.

Every year, MA F & W buys more land for WMA's and the DEM are also buying up lands. This is allowing new public lands to be opened up. Some of which may be worth investigating.

If your passing on small bucks in MA (wish I had your problem), you certainly must be a good hunter. Take a walk out in the snows post season out west and you can see what I mean.

Off course, almost any deer anywhere seems like dogs when compared to Maine's big bodied bucks.

PS Thanks for the links and good luck.