Gosh GMMAT, this is hard to admit, but I understand where you are coming from.

First, I hunt with a bow and bow only because to me it is more a challenge. I don't do it to extend my season. I do it because it is the only form of huntingthat I enjoy anymore.

My second weapon of choice is a camera. Why, because it is more a CHALLENGE than gun hunting. I have no desire to kill anything with a gun. I am not an elitist, or think I am better than anyone else, it just doesn't interest me anymore and I suspect never will again, whether it be a basket rack or a 200" trophy.

I enjoy the outdoors and all those things that have been mentioned in the non competitive sense of hunting but if that was enough, why not just go out with the camera? Because I am a hunter first and a photographer second and I still find it more CHALLENGING to compound hunt rather than take pictures.

I am one of those guys someone mentioned in this thread (Shultzy I think) that always talk about going trad but never follows through. Why? Because I have too many other priorities/interests and I do not practice enough to become proficient with the trad gear.

But I do understand the desire and the CHALLENGE aspect of trad gear as compared to a compound and I commend all those who choose this route.

Having said all that, I still think you are too quick to think you have and are killing the most mature deer in your area. As someone mentioned in this thread, learning this aspect of hunting is never ending.

While you are right it is not rocket science, it also is not as haphazard as you think. I still suspect there is a lot more CHALLENGE left out there in finding bigger bucks in you existing areas than what you think.

But because you will likely be shooting at less deer with trad gear, it might just be the thing that keeps you in the woods longer and disturbing them less to make this happen as well.