Windwalker,,i think you hit the nail on the head,,,,Gas prices have slowed alot of people down this year,,,i was down in Outer Banks for a week in aug. and the locals there were complaining of sales down and alot of rentals were cancelled early in the season. i would have made 3-5 trips to pa. by now to scout and do odds & ends to prepare for the upcoming season,,,but this year i will do what i have to do in the afternoon of openin archery season & the next day (sunday),,,Im in Va. and would never miss a deer season in Pa. but this year,, i have really had to put the brakes on when it comes to spending money on hunting,,,like you say,,,my scouting trips here in Va. cost me 1/2 tank round trip and when i come home to Pa. it's a 239 mile trip one way and at 12 mpg it starts to add up fast,,so im just gonna have to make the most of it on openin weekend,,as far as interest in hunting,,my family (who all lives in Pa.) is wound tight about the season getting started,,,with or without deer present we will enjoy the time together.(hopefully with deer present)