After plotting where the bucks with the biggest racks have come from in Michigan over the last two years, it's obvious that counties in the southwestern portion of the state are coming on strong. That block of counties especially ranks far above those in the rest of the state in terms of top-end whitetails from last fall. Five of the six bucks with antlers large enough to qualify for all-time listing in the Boone and Crockett Club national records came from that region.

Each of those deer was entered in state records kept by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan to confirm what they score. There were a number of reliable reports of a seventh Booner taken in the same part of the state during 2007 that has not yet been entered in CBM records, and it may never be. Not all hunters who bag big bucks enter them in record books. Nonetheless, this is the first time I know of that so many large bucks have been concentrated in such a small area. (Continued)

The counties I'm referring to are Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, Calhoun and Kalamazoo. Two B&C qualifiers came from Van Buren County. One each was bagged in Berrien, Cass and Calhoun. The Booner that hasn't been entered in state records was reportedly shot in Kalamazoo County. A buck that exceeded the requirements for entry into B&C records was tagged in St. Joseph County during the fall of 2006, and a number of whitetails that fit the same criteria have come from Allegan County in recent years.

Besides the highest scoring whitetails, this block of counties have given up plenty of other bucks that qualify for state records that any hunter would be happy to put a tag on. What's responsible for the surge in big bucks in that part of the state? Each year, more hunters are understanding the role they play as deer managers in terms of what they shoot while afield one year will have a bearing on what type of deer they see in the future.

Part of that understanding is the realization that shooting does to balance population numbers with the habitat is more valuable than shooting young bucks with small antlers. Moreover, when yearlings are passed up, it means many of them will live a year longer, when they will grow larger antlers. The abundance of private land in most of these counties also limits hunting pressure, which allows some bucks to live longer.

Conditions are ideal throughout Region 3 for bucks to grow trophy racks, if they live long enough. That's why southern Michigan counties have consistently produced the biggest antlered whitetails for years. Genetics favoring excellent antler growth are common in that part of the state and plenty of nutritious food is available year 'round. Winters are mild, too. So, most bucks that live to be at least 3 1/2 will grow antlers large enough to qualify for state records. Some of them achieve that size at 2 1/2.

The fact that more hunters are willing to pass up small bucks opens the door for them to take bigger bucks. More and more hunters are knowledgeable about what it takes to score on trophy whitetails, too. Therefore, because there's an increase in the number of hunters who are targeting book bucks, that plays a role in the number tagged.

On top of that, there is an increase in the number of two- and three-season hunters. A significant number of bowhunters who don't fill their tags with an arrow hunt during firearms season. Some firearms hunters who have unfilled tags elect to try the muzzleloader season.