I partially agree with both sides to this debate. Obviously, mathmatically speaking your "odds" of killing a mature buck increase by hunting in a state that holds more mature bucks. I think it's more of a case where you have a better chance of aquiring land to hunt that is within the mature bucks core area. More mature bucks = more parcels of hunting land that you have a chance of having one on your land.

In a state like NC obviously there are less of them running around. However they ARE there. Seems to me like the hardest part is finding them and then gaining access to the land (which could be difficult). Once you've gained access to such land the odds are now equal for the hunter in NC and the hunter in Ohio. You're both hunting x amount of mature bucks over x amount of acres.

I have literally gained access to around 150 different locations. Most of which have since been discarded. Some are like "the playground" where I'll take my kids out there to see a bunch of deer so they get excited, but knowing I have slim to no chance of seeing a mature buck. Then I have 4 or 5 different properties where there are some slammer bucks around. That's where I focus my hunting life and hunt HARD!

So I dont' think it's a case of anyone here being better at "mature buck" hunting or anyone luckier than the other for where they live. I think most of the work is knowing/finding where they are and really busting your hump to get on that land. Then the scouting that goes along with it. JMO...... been on both sides of the coin.

There are a lot of considerations/sacrifices when attempting to kill the best bucks that your area has to offer.I am friends with and/or associate with many of the hard core bowhunters in my community.A couple of them I am very close with and one in particular had a reputation for being the best hunter in our community.(he is now deceased)His pursuit of big bucks was clearly obsessive,and he shot many big deer,only one of which was a pope and young qualifier.His success came at a cost,strained marital relationship,next to no relationship with his sons,lack of attention to a business he owned etc.
The point of this is to acknowledge that yes you can be successful in killing the best bucks within your area,but it comes at a cost.If the best hunter that I have ever known has only put one pope and young qualifier on the ground at tremendous personal and business relationship expense,what does that say for the liklihood of those of us who place family first,business and employee's second and our hunting third?
Just about any thing can be accomplished if someone is willing to sacrifice enough! I admire any one who shoots big deer on public land consistently,provided that they have not cheated their families of time and comfort to do so. I am not implying in any way that any one here has done so!

Very true Scot. There are a lot of trophy rooms filled wall-to-wall with magnum buck racks and snarling bruins,but the filing cabinets beneath them arestuffed with divorce litigation paperwork, child support documentsand the whole place smells like love gone sour.

EXACTLY!
well said.

That is some very good perspective there tsoc! There are those of us who keep our feet on the ground, and have every bit as much drive and desire, yet have more pressing prioroites with obligations, or should I say privileges, that come first. I have a family(right now that includes my mother, and a brother-in-law with 2 young children that I am supporting until he gets back on his feet), a business, and church related duties, alongwith playing soccer and staying healthy--a longterm investment. I too have known some of these guys who sacrifice all for the sake of taking trophies, who spend all of their time and money, to the point of neglecting their families, quitting their jobs during hunrting season, etc. that i m not willing to do. Does that make me less of a hunter? Of course not, and while I would like to put a lot more time and effort into my pursuit, I am notr going to pay that kind of price. I honestly do not begrudge those that do, nor do I envy their trophies, because it isn't worth it to me. I know that there are better hunters, who given the same time and effort that I can allow myself, would probably do a lot better than me. My hat is off to them,but I can't respect those who lose sight of more important issues in life. I have no one in mind on here, only those tha I have actually experienced i where I live. I also don't begrudge those that have more time and oppurtunity than me with their prioroties in order--I love to see your success. It just isn't worth the sacrifice that some thaI know are making, and similar to what tsoc has described--not to me anyway. I am content with the deer that I can take each season based on what time and oppurtunities that are left over after real life is in order. Also, as I said, I prefer to hunt au natural as opposed to all of the , what I consider, over management practices that many, perfectly within their right to do so, employ to make attempts to produce their trophy. That is not a swipe at those who do, just making a distinction in my hunting philosophy.I don't turn my nose up at those who do or criticize them--I just don't want to take that approach myself. To me , it is more challenging to just take what the land yields, and to be stealthful and scout out the property to the point of recognizing the deer's locations throughout the season and their feeding locations(natural forage), rub lines, scrapes, etc.as opposed to attracting and or feeding them via food plots or baiting. Neither are wrong, just not what I like to practice. I have my eye on a very nice 10 I saw last year, and several 8's , that I was closing in on before poachers ruined my chances.I passed several bucks last year and took a couple of does, and this year i will do the same, exeptI plan to take several does as it is obvious that there are too many.All of this within the context of what time and oppurtunity are afforded me in keeping with my priorities--which you may or may not share.

LMAO Deja Vu

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2084428&mpage=1

Why I stayed out of it, LOL

Bottom line.....shoot whatever makes you happy and feel good about it. Nobody should have to answer to anyone else. The correct way is your way.

Me too