This is a great question, Scott.

I don't feel qualified to answer, intelligently. I have been blessed, lucky or a combination of the two. My outlook "may" be a little rosy.

I feel like (again) hunting is very personal. What one man passes on......another may be seen as "successful" for taking. There are guys who would have passed on both deer I've taken (that some would call "mature").

I feel like you and Gary had great seasons in '07......and I don't think they represent anything short of "successful" years. I see plenty of those in my future.

If I had to pose an opinion, though......I'd have to say a "successful" "mature buck" hunter would harvest a mature buck at least once every 3-4 years. That doesn't make the "off" years "unsuccessful", though. Those years are a vital part of the overall makeup of said hunter. I think you'd have to look at the overall......and less at the single year outcome(s).

Just my .02.