In my mind this is easy to answer. Admittedly, I am average, but striving tobe better. The difference in myself and hunters who routinely kill big bucks is "attention to detail".

That is a blanket statement which covers many facets of a successful hunt: scent control, interpreting buck sign, scouting, practice techniques, equipment maintenance (bow tuning, broadhead sharpening, treestands, etc.), woodsmanship, etc.

When I look back on missed opportunities, it was usually a minute detail that made the difference: a creek from a treestand that should have been silenced long ago, a small limb that should have been trimmed, a loose screw that didn't seem like a big deal at the time, walking the easy way to the stand and jumping deer, etc.

The cream of the crop (I won't mention names b/c there's enough butt-kissing already) are meticulous at what they do and thattakes hard work. Dealing with chiggers and ticks in August trimming shooting lanes isn't fun and neither is not hunting your money-maker stand because the wind isn't just right. The average hunter tells himself "ahh, that won't matter"and sometimes it doesn't. But that huge buck always seems to magnify and capitalize on any shortcuts, for this"average" hunter anyway.