This year has to be the worst buck week in history statewide. OIpening day I saw 10 deer so with that I'm OK with. But as far as hearing shots, I must say myself and the group I was with didn't hear many, and I have friends hunting allover the state and they reported the same to me. The one check station near where we hunt normally checks in by closing 200/300 deer on opening day of shotgun buck week, well they only checked in 85 deer that day. Opening day was cold with no wind with 3" of snow on the ground, it was perfect weather. I guess allowing the great nimrods to take unlimted antleress deer for the last 12 plus years has taken it's toll on the herd, I'm sure the coyotes and the bears also have taken it's share of fawns as well.

I wish NJ would allow one or two buck tags per hunting season, you use it as you wish, once you use the tags your done, and maybe allow 3 antlerless deer per season as well.

Having a bear season would help as well as year long coyote hunting