ORIGINAL: jackflap
Schultzy - I think you and I are close in assesing where we are as hunters and recognizing the significant gap between killing a 3.5 yo as compared to an older deer.
We think alike on this allot. Our assessments of mature bucks generally fall in that 4.5 year old class when were comparing intelligence or that 6th sense to that of a 3.5. People are entitled to there opinions but this has always been my way of thinking too.
ORIGINAL: jackflap
As far as progressing to the next level, if i knew I would already be there.
But the three I am committed to focusing on the most is to
1) quit shooting 3.5 yo deer so as to increase my chances the next year.
2) find more places to hunt so that I can reduce pressure in my hot spots even more so than already and be even more selective when I go into these areas.
3) When I do hunt my hotspots that are not in but close to bedding areas, I am committed to getting there a full two hours before daylight in hopes of not bumping the mature deer that is probably nocturnal to begin with but maybe I catch him still milling/browsing around right at start of legal shooting time.
But I've got to be hunting somewhere. I don't see myself as ever being disciplined enough to significantly reduce my days afieldin order to maximize my chance at a sure enough mature deer.
If it is between less overall hunting or only killing 3.5 yo deer, I will opt for the 3.5 yo and more days afield and accept my limiations. But in the meantime, I am getting more places to hunt and am going to spread it out as much as possible.
This right here is what I'm looking for folks. Answers like Jack said here. What are you going to do to try and get to that next level? Thanks Jack for answering the question to the thread.