There was a spot near my house that my father and I were introduced to about 20 years ago. It was a back woods area with roads cut into it in the 60's during the peak of the cold war when the US was charting all of its uranium deposits. It took a very long walk, or a 4x4 vehicle to get to, and offered some of the best hunting I can ever remember.

If you went into these woods and didn't see at least 40-50 deer a day, in groups no larger than 6-10 at a time, then you were having a bad day. This place was "enchanted" with deer and the memories of it are awesome. It only lasted about 5 years however, when in the late 80's we noticed a sharp decline in sightings. Either the deer were smartening up to the increased human pressure, were being poached, or both.

A few rings were uncovered in the 90's dealing with illegal venison being taken from the area and shipped to New York City, so I wouldn't doubt if that had something to do with it. Today it's a very scenic and secluded place to hunt, but it's much harder to find the deer. They're there based on the sign, but they're deeper into the woods and much more wary than they once were. The bear and coyote population has grown noticably in this area as well.....no help to the deer herd either.

I guess all good things must come to an end.

Fritz