1. AHE - Gets you access to hunts not everybody can put in for, lessening the pool and increasing your odds.

2. Changed to ML - Early and late seasons equal about a month of hunting time. Much lower participation rate, I think about 5-10% of hunters go ML, depending on state. Lots of "any deer" hunts.

3. Ride a bike - Locked gates are my friend. I'll get back 3-4 miles in minutes, start hunting, and a while later maybe see the walk-in guys as I'm riding my bike/deer out of the woods.

4. Put in for specific hunts - I only put in for certain ML hunts for trophy tags. I don't need a trophy every year, as a doe eats just as good, or better. Right now there are only two hunts that I apply for deer, and two for elk. If I get drawn, great! If not, I just hunt locally.

5. Get off of the freakin' road - I can't tell you how many times I've bumped deer within 50 feet of the road, but they would have just sat there if I walked/drove by. Get out and get wet & dirty.

6. Barter - I have had more private land opened up to me with the use of a 5 pound pink gate key than any words I've ever spoken. This year I dropped off some salmon, smoked and frozen filets, to a guy who knows everybody in Ellensburg and I didn't hunt the land he has access to. I did it to keep the relationship alive. Even if they don't say yes, leave some fish, try again next year, leave some fish again, and they may change their minds.

15 deer in 15 years. 7 elk in 10 years. Hunt smarter, not necessarily harder. Horns are nice, but I'm out for meat.