The one thing that I see here is that there might be too many does in that area. If you do not harvest does and only buck hunt then that big mature buck does not have to work as hard and travel as much. basically does will find him. I know it sounds weird but I have seen this a couple of times on new farms we lease. The prior people who leased it only shot bucks and there were like 4-5 does per one buck. Just my two cents. During the rut the bucks most likely will not be in the same area that you saw then in September and October either (from my experience I am sure everyone has different outcomes). The mature bucks love water and thickets tor un around in during the rut as well. As i said I am no professional and only give advice on what I have seen, I hope you get that big boy this year!