ORIGINAL: jackflap

Shultzy - 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. I mentioned in Greg's thread that I can kill a 3.5 yo any year I choose. I stand behind that statement, but I couldn't have said that 5 years ago.

I have learned how to minimize my impact of coming and going from stands, the disciplineto create and honor sancturies, choosing when to hunt(i.e weather patterns) so as to not wear an area out, etc as the reason that I think I am capable of seeing and killing more 3.5yo deer than what I used to.

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.