TJF:
I get the impression from your posts that 3.5 years old is it for bucks that you've seenin your area and no one knows your area like you do.
I've got game cam photos of 1 buck that's at least 4.5, now. I saw him in '05 at the distance of about 2 yds. He had a nice 8 point rack, then....and he sncuk up on me like a cat. I had him at 0 yds on two occasions last year.....and at 20 yds on closing day. I already have him on game cam this year. He had a buddy he hung out with in the early season, last year.....and I think he was a 3.5 las year.
Yes.....3.5 and older are here. There "might" be mature deer here I've never seen. I never saw the 3.5 yr old I shot last year as a younger deer.....unless he did a LOT of antler growing in one season. I saw a half rack last year that might have been a 3.5. What happens to them all, though? Good question. I'm not the only hunter, here. I have neighbors who own an acre of land. ONE acre. They shot 2 10-pointers and 2 8-pointers last year. I know what happens to a few of them. if they knew of a large racked deer......no boundary line would stop them from killing him.....and no weapon restriction.....and maybe no season.
I can only do what I can do.
QDM means nothing to most here. I wouldn't think it is just a location type dealso enlighten me please on your area.
Nor to hunters, here. They all preach letting the little ones go......but what they do on their own farms when no one is looking......I've heard doesn't match what they preach.
Just a side note... Sorryitbothers youthat most's perspective of agood buck hunter revolves around the size of the racks they've taken. Some of us do think otherwise.I've gotten to know a guy from NC and another from SC who probablycould out hunt most of us here. Whileyou would only need 3 fingers to count theirP&Y,I wished I know halfof what they have forgotten over the years.
It's a testament to where deer huntng is headed. 2 guys put the same efforts in......one guy is deemed to be a guru because of where he lives. QAM is driving that. There are guys here and everywhere who never had an opportunity to hunt big deer. They're viewed by many as not as good of hunters......but I know better.