I read all about your Zone 4 frustrations last year and am glad to see that you weathered the storm. As you may know, I hunt Zone 2 but on private land. 2002 was arguably the WORST season ever for the quality and numbers of deer seen. The average buck was a spindly 3 or 4pt and you were lucky to see a decent 6 pt. The surrounding clubs have been hammering away during the previous Jan hunts and have effectively ruined the chances of many decent bucks surviving. I actually did not shoot a buck as I was trying to be selective. I had numerous opptys at spikes/3pts/etc but opted to hold out. WIth my son being born on Dec 6th I was essentially done for the season.

2003 brings earn a buck to Zone 2 so who the heck knows. In addition, the Jan slaughter continues with additional days!!

Went up there on May 2nd and shot a beautiful gobbler. I found 2 dead yearlings and actually found a shed. However, the browse lines were evident and I believe that there was some winter kill in Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4. Development seems to have picked up a little in the area as some new homes are being thrown in across from our club. We used to hunt there but were thrown off last year ocne the new owner took over.

Well---hopefully things will start looking up in NJ but I almost feel that the walls are closing in. Maybe I' m just getting older but the situation seems to be getting much worse each year.