I'm always seeking mature deer but I'm similiar to Matt / PA's answer. My area of PA, not unlike Matt's, your very lucky to see anything past a 2.5 year old however I've done well on my bucks the last 6 in 7 years. In 2001 I took my first 3.5 year old, in 02 a 2.5 year old. I didn't take a deer in 03 because I was exclusively hunting a 4.5 year old 10 point, 22" wide. I saw him twice in my honey hole. He was gone forever after that and I ate my tag. In 04 I took a 3.5 year old, 05 a 2.5 year old, another in 06 after I missed a 4.5 plus year old and this year I tagged a 3.5 year old.

There was no right answer for me. I won't take a 1.5 year old so the opportunist won't work because I won't take anything but I'm not quite the mature only one because I don't consider a 2.5 year old mature, nor will some consider a 3.5 year old that.