3dmuzzy
I been hunting state land in 3J for over 20 years. It's has always been hard work to even see a deer but once in awhile it has paid off.The last few years all I see are other hunters.
All the places I worked so had to locate which can be 1.5 to 2 miles from a road will have a hunter there every time I go out.
I walked out 9am opening day after seeing 9 hunters by that time.
If I can't find private land by next season, I will not by a license in N.Y.
Last year,near the end of the season we had some snow on the ground so I hiked most of the areas that I hunt (3J and 3C) and found one set of deer tracks. Not too encouraging. I think the deer are there but the increase in hunters has pushed them into heavy cover and night movement.