PA can be tough sledding. I've hunted the mountains here for a good while now and I can find good bucks usually but you'll work your tail off for them. I think you were on to something hunting that cover close to the highway. Going where other hunters won't go is a smart move on high pressure public land. Hope you come back and try again!
Yes North woods are a tough hunt . Southern pa. Not so bad except finding a place to hunt . Pa. Does have a lot of public hunting land and a lot of hunters that use it . Most hunters are like me and do welcome out of state hunters. In the end game we all as hunters need to stick to our guns
