Yes, I think in very limited circumstances, some guys are successful ONLY b/c of WHERE they hunt vs how they hunt..... Look, I have Midwest Envy too! Just like the rest of the country that does not live there! BUT, I also know that its not always location, b/c even in the crappy states you always have a select handful of guys that rise above the rest.... And its b/c they are simply better hunters..... I have no problem admitting that they are much better than me.... Thats life...

I also think time in the woods is a huge factor. I have P&Y deer in my woods, lots of them, but I can't kill them if Im at work, spending time with the family, or sitting on the couch. I get hunt 2 times during the week and every saturday and I still feel I need to be in the woods more sometimes to close the deal, I don't have the time to scout a lot, I usually scout when I hit the woods and the occassional sunday. Kids put a damper on my time, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Answering the original question, I am always excited when someone gets a kill. That is why we are out there. We may all have a different level on our goals but bottom line we are hunting deer. It doesn't matter if it is booner or a spike for a rookie or a vet I love to celebrate with the successful hunter. Envy and jealousy or the feeling that someone has not earned it can strain hunting friendships and friendship in general.

I even struggle with the term slob hunter or someone that only goes say 5 or six times a season. If someone is in the woods hunting legally and ethically I am in their corner. Lady luck has a way of evening things out if you don't do your homework you will not consistantly have success, but when you do who am I to say you did not do it right.If they truely enjoy the experience it will strengthen their desire to set high goals and work to achieve them. I will climb down off my little soap box now. For all the "rooks" and "newbies" kill a big one next year, send me a pic and I will give you a big atta boy.

P.S. I agree location does play a major role in rookie success.

And time in the woods falls under the work ethic column! I know guys that work 60 hours a week during the spring and summer, just to take a few extra days off in the fall..... That's all part of the work ethic... We could probably ALL get more time off if we really wanted it! BUT, you, like myself, have to balance in family time as well! Last time I looked Chuck Adams doesnt have kids! Thats no coincidence!

I never said that.

"too" denotes "also". "I" never said that, either....nor do I feel that way. It has NOTHING to do with my assertion.

I give props to guys who are good hunters all the time. I also don't mind calling a spade a spade.....ESPECIALLY when it has NO diminsihing connotations.

Stating that "location" is the No. 1 factor in consistantly taking big bucks is not a slam. I said this WAY back in the early stages of this thread. It's simply a fact. Stating that FL is a prime location to catch big bass doesn't denote that I'm envious of people there catching them. It's a fact.

Have a great day everyone!

I'm not jealous of the "rookie" that goes out and kills a P&Y buck. I haven't, and I've been deer hunting thirty five years in an area that isn't known for producing big bucks. Deer hunting is about other things to me.

The "rookie" that kills that P&Y buck will probably spend the rest of his/her life trying to out do that buck. I have a friend like that, that is frustrated because he can't do any better than a buck he killed several years ago.

Ok I’ve only been able to quickly read thru much of these later pages, but I have some to add.

While yes location is important solely for the fact that something has to exist in your location in order to kill it, being in a good stereotypical location means NOTHING, and some guys kill big bucks DESPITE their location. I have been to where Shed hunts, and I tell you this, if you think you can plug any of us in here into his location and you will bring home the bucks he does, you are SADLY, sadly mistaken. Even though obviously some big bucks exist in his spots, you cannot comprehend the needle in a haystack feeling of what it would be like to pin one down out there.

And here’s another tidbit about location, that I am sure encompasses more guys than just me. I live in a county that grows some whopper bucks. And yes I hunt there some. But I feel FAR more comfortable hunting an area with LESS numbers of mature bucks because the land is better. Let me explain. Close to home county is extremely chopped up and segmented. Much is limited to no access. Bucks grow BIG. BUT, unless your tiny little slice is in of the spots that the big bucks spends time on, you can go for YEARS without so much as a glimpse. Now take, the other property where its still segmented, but not so much. Rural farmland with nicer habitat, but immensely more pressure. Far fewer bucks reach 3.5 years of age, but those that do are more targetable, because you can chase them (move stands etc) a little more than being stuck to your one little spot. Also a few less does overall, allows them to be a little more active during the rut.

I hope no one thinks I implied that. I didn't. My only assertion is that Troy has more big bucks in his woods than some/many. Each hunter's situation is unique, and from what I know about Troy's....there isn't a hunter I respect more for what they do.

Thought I'd add that.

Tell me to answer honestly and suddenlyI feel deeply compelled to lie like a dog. So, I just won't answer at all.