LOL, I know these big bucks are all over.
Gas prices? I think you're more intimidated of the grand interior plateau than anything. In mountainous, steep terrain you can predict a mule deers habits easier than the rolling forests of the Cariboo.
Up here the funnels are harder to recognize and typical mule deer patterns are Tuff to calculate. There's 150-160 bucks making mistakes all around here, but the biggies are a brood of nocturnal, holed up, jerks.
With such a high population of does these days the big bucks rarely have to seek very far for action in the rut. They let the 150's and 160's roam the country-side.
If I didn't think there was huge bucks up here, I'd be heading down to your place. LOL.
You guy's should plan a trip up here. There's a lot of muley holes up here.