About 98% of my hunting is done on public land (which we have a lot of out West). It's tough hunting for a mature buck, especially since a lot are taken during the rifle season or spooked by all the elk hunters during the archery season. So I guess that explains what I am hunting for.

We only get to harvest one deer a year during the Oregon seasons, so a lot of guys here shoot the first buck they see for the meat (then go hunt elk). A couple months later they are sitting around the lunch table complaining about not seeing any "big bucks" like the good ol' days. I always tell 'em, "Well, if you guys would quit shooting the dinks, maybe they'd get a chance to grow up into a big buck". Which gets no response..hahaha

I'm buying a tag for across the river (Idaho), so I'll be doubling my chances this year. My Oregon archery season is Aug 30th - Sept 31st. The Idaho season will vary, but starts Aug 30th and lasts until Dec. 24th depending on the area you hunt.

RL...good luck on your bear hunt!