Actually there's less hunters today than before but there's also less large tracts of open land and the attitude towards hunting is different. I think there is a more selfish attitude in general in America now and that's also reflected in how people approach hunting.
This fits my situation best. I have hunted since I was 7 and I am now 32. I have seen a lot of changes in my short time. I can't imagine what David has seen.......
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When I was a boy we found a "spot"..."any spot" cleared back the leaves and hunted.We were able to walk and not worry about trespassing. We were not allowed to shoot a doe, so any legal buck was a challenge in itself.
Now everything is posted or leased and not too many landowners will allow you to hunt. Greed ant the all-mighty dollar has definitely changed how we hunt.
Don't get me wrong, I love hunting and it is a tremendous part of who I am. I do have fun doing it how I want and I try to keep things fun and simple when I hunt with youngsters. It's not all about the size of the buck, but moreso about the time spent with Family and in the deer wooods........... the stories told and the lessons learned. The time at camp........watching a 10 year old gut his first deer.......jokes and prayers.
David makes good points about the evolution of the hunter and hunting in general. I have seen it and most of you have too.