Matt do you think this is influenced by the # of big racked bucks on the surrounding private land? Do people hunting the public land in Il. pass on younger- smaller racked bucks because of the potential for something bigger? Do people hunting public land in PA. shoot the first buck they see because of the lack of potential?
Yes, yes, andFrickin' A
YES,combined with far less pressure to begin with.
But it's more like the feeling of PRESSURE that causes people to shoot the first legal buck they see......they truly believe that if they don't shoot it the next guy over will so THAT is their opportunity for the season.