What % of hunters in Pa. hunt within 2-5 miles of the NY border? That's where I hunt, from south of Wellsville ny to south of Hancock NY. I dare say MOST of hunters actually HUNTING this region have had at minimal, half-way decent experience, especially the past 5-6 years.

I do and have since 1960: From the area south of Wellsville, NY(between Genesee and Ulysses), east to the area south of Troupsburg, NY. That'd be NE Potter and NW Tioga counties in PA. Agree that the past 5-6 years have been much better in the nice bucks department, than at any previous time since 1960. Just the experience I and others who hunt there have had. Anyone else's experiences may be different?

Fewer deer therenow, than in the peak period of the late 90s. Roughly about the same deer numbers we hadby the mid-80s, prior to the population peak beginningthereabouts. Where I once could see upwards of 120 deer while spotlighting prior to firearms seasons in the late 90s, now seeing closer to 60 to 80 deer per night. Same spotlighting route for that "count", forat least the past 35 years, btw.

Now have more nice bucks, than at any time since I've been hunting there. I equate nice bucks with those having at least 8 points anda 17" or better spread. Such bucks were once trophies for that area, now arefar more common. Much nicer bucks at the local big buck contests over the past 5-6 years, too. The 20" 10 pt with average massthat might've won back in the 90s, won't getcha an honorable mention now.