As someone that has not many mature 3.5 y/o+ bucks to his credit (only 1), I still can understand what buckeye is trying to say here.

I think what he is trying to say, is that the price we pay in areas such as central/east/north PA, NC, etc...........areas that don't hold as many big deer because of general age class and genetics, may be much higher, however if we really want it we can still overcome those challenges, pull ourselves out of our comfort zones, etc........to find, pattern, and kill mature deer on a somewhat consistent basis. To say we didn't kill one because they aren't here is an excuse in my opinion. To say that the price to find one, pattern one, and put yourself in the position to kill one was too high and not worth it, is more of an accurate statement.