ORIGINAL: Goose
I got that pic in a email as well, said it was from Iowa but thats all I've heard. I'm thinking a world record contender would be a little more known but I've been wrong many times before.....
I agree though that Iowa has been lighting the deer world up!
JPH-Have you noticed a difference in the caliber of deer being taken since you started hunting and if so what has happened?
Large tracts of land, qdm, hunting pressure??????????
Yes, it has gotten better since I started in the mid-80's.
For one thing the population has exploded. I remember when you had to draw for an any-sex tag. Most gun hunts were conducted in big drives and small bucks were hunted heavily.
Today a lot of big farms are gone and a lot of ground is being managed. You really see few yearling bucks being killed these days. Doe tags are plentiful and many hunters have chosen to hold for older bucks.
BUT don't ignore the fact that A LOT of things have changed to make today's big bucks more visible. Guys used to show off their deer to their neighbors, then cut the rack off and nail it to a barn board. Today the internet has these big deer all over the country before they've even been processed.
IMO, the quality of the herd has improved without question, but not as much as the hype might lead you to think.
JPH would welcome you with open arms!