For me it's accuracy. I've got guns that shoot the cheap stuff in 1/2 inch groups, so that's what I use. Others I need to handload for to get that. Depends on what the gun likes.
Have you ever been out west? Just asking because if it looks steep on the maps, it is really steep, maybe impassable. My mule deer hunt last year looked "steep" on the maps and when I got there it was almost straight up and down. It wasn't huntable and after one day I packed up and went to my...
That's big country. Use your optics, try to get away from other hunters. For sure be ready to move camp. Even consider backpacking away from the roads for a night or two. You probably won't see a lot of deer, but they are there. I'd shoot the first nice 4x4 I saw in that unit. To be honest I'm a...
I think the odds are about the same either way. If you HAVE to have your whole group there, then put in together. If not go alone in the draw. Also check out the leftover tags and second draw, I've gotten lucky in them a few times.