CBM SC , I see your point. Yes land and deer management do require skills. A lot of people who have good deer land have put a lot of hard work into making it what it is. But, my point is, " you can' t manage what you don' t own." I am very fortunate to have been born to a family with good land to manage and hunt. Many aren' t so lucky. Thats why I think you have to grade on a curve so to speak. If you only get to hunt public land and yet you still kill deer each year, then I find that far more impressive than someone who kills monster bucks on a secluded private whitetail haven. However despite how I rate the level of accomplishment involved there is no doubt that the guy hunting the haven is going to kill more and better bucks year in and year out. Thus my opinion that land makes the bigger difference. Like I said before I know young relatively inexperienced kids that kill big bucks every year simply because of " where" they get to hunt.

Rack Attack-- I' m not doubting your word but I would like to know the type of land you hunt. Stalk hunting with a bow is certainly possible in the right situation but my comment was directed to here in Alabama where I hunt. There are briar thickets here that are almost impenetrable and a big buck bedded in the middle of it is as safe as a babe in its mommas arms. Virtually impossible to approach him silently and even if by some miracle you could it would be equally miraculous if you had a clean shooting lane even at 20 yards. With a gun its a different story but with a bow very very difficult. Thats a nice buck under your signature line by the way. Here is one of mine from last season although it is a gun kill.