I have a slightly different take on the situation.Ilive and hunt in 2G and saw more deer preeason and more sign this year than last year.Ihad 15 oppourtunities to kill deer this season but I didn't see as many asI did prior to herd reductions.Three thing will always effect deer movement.1 weather2.pressure3. food availability.I personally thought archery season was warmer and windier than usual and the first two days of rifle season were lousy in places.Pressure wasso low in every place where I huntedand you need hunters to move deer.The mast crop was heavy and widespread.The deer simplydidn't have to travel to find deer.I have to admit that post season,I'm seeing alot of deer and alot of sign.Next year should be a great year,especially considering that the deer went into winter in good shape and this winter is so mild.I have no complaints at all.

I don't believe that the early muzzleloader season has had any effect on spooking the deer.There used to be far more small game hunters shooting the woods up not toomany years ago.i don't know if I've ever seen a muzzleloader hunter in the woods when I was archery hunting.