NJ's Annual Shotgun Buck Week
 

This year has to be the worst buck week in history statewide. OIpening day I saw 10 deer so with that I'm OK with. But as far as hearing shots, I must say myself and the group I was with didn't hear many, and I have friends hunting allover the state and they reported the same to me. The one check station near where we hunt normally checks in by closing 200/300 deer on opening day of shotgun buck week, well they only checked in 85 deer that day. Opening day was cold with no wind with 3" of snow on the ground, it was perfect weather. I guess allowing the great nimrods to take unlimted antleress deer for the last 12 plus years has taken it's toll on the herd, I'm sure the coyotes and the bears also have taken it's share of fawns as well.

I wish NJ would allow one or two buck tags per hunting season, you use it as you wish, once you use the tags your done, and maybe allow 3 antlerless deer per season as well.

Having a bear season would help as well as year long coyote hunting

Kay, they need to do something, like cutting back on the harvest they allow hunters to take, this bait crap has to go

This was the first buck week in NJ that I have missed in 34 years...due to selling and buying a house...and it looks as though I didn't miss much. My Dad...79 years young...did go out behind his house after lunch and seen 5 does and 2 bucks...he did get a 4 point...in less then 2 hours. I talked to a cousin that normally gets a buck and sees plenty of deer on opening day, and he told me he didn't see a deer until 1pm. Seen a total of 6 does that day.

You just don't see the amount of deer that you used to see years ago. This 2 antlerless deer per day has to go. I'm sure alot of them taken are button bucks. I'm headed up wed. thru friday this week with the muzzleloader and really not expecting much.