Even though I' ll have to agree with you to some extent on the " do it yourself" theory (I do it myself on 3 different pieces of property that I own) I have to say that I don' t and probably won' t ever have the opportunity to harvest a trophy book whitetail on any of my properties. Factor in the buck to doe ratio, limited access, neighbors shooting anything and everything walking with horns, poachers and road hunters, the chances are slim to none.

Therefore, I usually take at least one guided hunt per year (where the big boys live). The ranch I hunt is 5500 acres, free ranging, whitetails. The guys who run the deer hunting are bowhunters and know their stuff. I show up, I stay in a 4 star resort, there is a full-time cook, theres a 3000sf lodge, they supply anything you want to drink, they cook you steaks, they drag and clean your harvest, they have a 1:10 to 1:00 Buck to Doe ratio and magnum bucks......all for $2000.00.

I' ve taken several do-it-yourself hunts and I' ve always spent that much just buying supplies, tags and licenses.

Don' t get me wrong! I love everything else that goes into the hunt on my properties. Spring planting, scouting, hanging stands, etc. etc