Grew up in PA and walked A LOT of public, now live in IL where there is a serious lack of public land. Now that IL is a bonafide big buck state, if you want to hunt private land you will pay for that right or marry into the family who owns the land. This is what is happening everywhere, it isn't gonna change as long as the trophy mentality in hunting and fishing continues. It isn't just bagging a deer any more, and be happy. It's bagging a wall hanger or nothing. So I say it's big buck mania. Thanks can also go to all the great hunting shows, and the products that will "get you that big buck" if people watch enough of it, they come to expect it for themselves as well... Competition shows, antler worship, and lack of time also contribute. Why spend time hiking and scouting (learning), when you can pay for someone else to do that??? Sadly it is becoming a rich mans sport.