"From what I have experienced, the easier the access, the lower the hunt quality."
Access in terms of easy to get to or in terms of permission to hunt? I have killed some huge bucks on public land with easy access and didn't see another hunter all day...or for several days.
East to get to was what I was thinking.
I should really qualify myself here, my experience is limited to exactly 2 DIY pronghorn hunts so I 'm by no means an expert, more like a complete novice.
So with that in mind...
My experience is limited to unit 71 (3rd choice draw) last year and 70 (leftover tag) this year. Unless I'm mistaken these are the 2 smallest units in the state. Being from Missouri preseason scouting is not a viable option for me. I have plenty of vacation time so I took additional time to look over new areas on both trips. Last year was an earlier hunt starting the 2nd. week of the season and this year was a later hunt starting the 4th. week of the season. My hunting has been limited to public access, either BLM/State land or walk in areas. I had the option of paying trespass fees but chose not to. In retrospect it may have been a good idea this year to pay the trespass fee. Last year I killed a buck and 2 does with a Striker pistol, this year I never took my safety off. I should point out that if I had been alone or with an experienced hunter this year I could have filled my tags I think. The bucks I saw this year were in the most difficult to access part of the area and so spooky if they saw you they ran no matter the distance.
The single largest buck I have seen in the last 2 years was crossing from private land in unit 71 to a walk in area in unit 72, he was a giant! I have a buck on the wall that scores 79 & change and this guy made him look little. I have spent at least a little time scouting in units 25, 31, 32, 47, 63, 69, 72, and 73 in addition to the units I hunted. Based on my very limited knowledge I think a good hunt could be had in any of these units but if I just wanted to kill a decent buck 14 - 15" or so I would probably hunt 72 or 73.
Hope I didn't mislead anyone, that was not my intention.
Bob