Gone for awhile and I have alot of catching up to do
Everything you say he does.....I do...and so does a LOT of people on this and other forums. I'm gonna raise the average of the bucks here over the next few years (as Scott has likely done).....but they'll never be as big as the ones in OH. ALL I've been saying is......people work JUST as hard at this as people in the big buck states......but the public perception is.....the gusy shooting the big bucks are better hunters. Theres NO difference in the hunters' abilities.....save ONE.......location. How can you argue this?
Okay, your going to do what Scott has been doing, your going to raise the quality of the deer on you land and I commend you for that. As far as them never being as good as the bucks Scott see's out in Ohio...thats not the attitude to have, your land could very well be as good as any land out there. Hard work, dedication, and knowledge of the herd are what will get your property to that point! You said that you are planting food plots, helping balance the herd, passing younger bucks, and getting the age structure set up. It seems like your going to correct the three major elements that it takes to grow trophy bucks, age (by passing immature deer, which will also help with the genetics), and the nutrition will be taken care of with the food plots. Your land is just that, land, it doesn't matter what state it is in, all that matters is that you get all of the ingredients together and it will produce trophy deer. Now here is the point that I am trying to drive home, after all that work do you honestly feel that you will just be another "average Joe" hunter who gets big bucks simply because of your land? I bet not, you will be proud of all the hard work and dedication that it took, and the knowledge that you gain throughout the entire experience will make you a hunter who stands out.
But....why can't the information be found in magazines or on the internet.
I can read anything and everything about food plots, land management, and herd management ect.. on the internet and in books and magazines, but the fact is that isn't a fool proof guide for "my" property. It is simply a tool. I could read a book or magazine that stresses about the importance of food plots for the summer and fall, but that wouldn't mean squat when there are hundreds of acres of corn, alfalfa, clover, and soybeans for them to feed at that time. Each property has different needs that can't be fully explained on the net.
So don't you find it HIGHLY arrogant that people will sit....states away....and tell me they know things about my woods....better than me? I find it insulting.
I'm not telling you that I know your woods, what I am saying is that ANY piece of property in this country could be turned into a good property that regularly produces large bucks.
ALL I'm saying is.....the difference between what Scott kills and what oh.....HuntingEd kills is.....location. If you don't agree with this.....you have to assume that Scott's simply working harder than everyone who doesn't kill a deer as big as the ones he kills.....and I just don't believe that.
I'm not saying that Scott is some super hunter, but you do have to give him credit for being able to consistantly put mature bucks on the ground. One thing that could be said in your "HuntingEd vs. Scott" scenario is that Scott has been able to put more effort and achieve more results with the management plan that he has set up.
I just want to make it clear that I am nottrying to attack you,actually I have rather enjoyed this entire conversation and everything that has been said. I am simply stating that blamming a bucks antlers onlocation can give a skewed perception that it only has to do with the state that you live in. Gaining the knowledge that it takes to correct that and turn the property into a premium hunting ground is something that can't simply be cast off.
Well, I'm off to the bar for a few beers, peace out boyscouts