RE: Is your state's hunting better or worse then when you were a kid?
Ohio
Worse and better.
Better: I see more deer and better quality bucks than ever before. When I started you were lucky to see and kill a buck or doe. You had to apply for an antlerless permit in the summer and you were only allowed one deer per season. Now with urban permits you can take up to 7 deer per season in the state(one buck). The state definitely is not afraid to manage the herd by taking does.
Worse: The outfitters and the rush of out of state hunting. Alot of locals are losing hunting spots to the almighty dollar. I know it helps the economy but the state needs be pro-active and protect the home team before they have to be reactionary and the state becomes a pay to hunt state.
Lost land to Housing. The housing slump has slowed this process down but it will pick back up I'm sure.