Sits in Trees;

I have been hunting state land in Ulster (Minniwaska State Park) for over 20 years and yourfinding are the similar tomine. The place wasn't crawling with deer and the hunting wasn't easy but I almost always saw deer on opening day. The last 2 seasons we have seen zero. I too head out as soon as there is snow to looks for tracks. Last year all I found were coyote tracks. I expected the antler restriction to help with the buck numbers but we saw 1 buck rub in areas that use to be allrubbed up.
This opening day I heard 3 shots by noon and thoses were miles away.
Either the numbers are down or the deer have moved to better areas.
Very disapointing.
I have been walking Sterling Forest this season and last Sat. I jumped a buck, the only deer I've seen this season.
Last year, out of frustration, I took my son to an outfitter in S.C. andmy sontook his first buck (a 7 pointer) and I saw over 45 deer in 3 days including several nice bucks.