There are certainly areas that hold better potential than others. Many would like to blame the PGC and their HR policies, but really in truly, it's more a matter of habitat and pressure. We have one of the highest population of hunters, and plenty of various seasons mixed in throughout the early fall well into early winter. Deer here see lots of pressure, and couple that with much of the Northern tier being less than desirable habitat for growing big deer, it does make it tough. Private land is the way to go, because at least then you do have some hand in managment, although private land hunting can be successful, you just have to put the leg work in like you would anywhere else. The days when there were 50-80 deer in a field in PA are gone, and for good reason. The habitat can't sustain that type of population. Do I think the PGC needs to micromanage more and not use one blanket HR plan on the entire state? Sure. However, the deer are still there, you just need to put the legwork in to find them. That doesn't mean hunt the same trusty stand you've hunted for the past twenty years. Get mobile. Find new spots. Scout harder, travel in deeper, etc.
Sorry, I'm ranting. In short:
Will PA ever have the mature bucks of the midwest? No. Is it hard to hunt for mature whitetails here? Yes...isn't it everywhere?
