One quick reference point on width regarding a Midwest or Wester size whitetail, a rack that comes out just past the width if the ears is usually an 18 inch inside spread.
I've harvested several mature whitetail. Sometimes I blind call and have luck, and often I have seen the deer prior to calling. Sometimes I have grunted at a particular buck and called in a different one. It's kind if like playing "Marco-Polo", you want them to come your direction, but doknt...
I'm more frugal than some, but invest a lot of time hunting nearly year round. I end up spending easily $2000 every year. That number may move up, and I can cut back now that I have most of my equipment set up in a satifactory manner. I chalk most up to entertainment, and get some value out of...