I'm new to this site, but you really got my attention with this topic.
As of 2 weeks ago, I would have agreed with the deer hunting being bad, but my opinion has changed after I really did some research to find out why the numbers of deer I was seeing was down.
The major reason,( at least for my situation), my norm spots where I could always count on seeing deer has been poor, is that the acorn mast has been absolutely terrible the last 2 years. After I did some serious scouting ( later than I should have ), their patterns have changed to account for a changed food source. Where they used to bed has, in my case, moved to different areas. Although I've always seen them eating in small meadows and greenerys, those areas have historically been the last stop before returning to their bedding area.
Now, all that changes once the rut starts, but where you find does during the rut, you find Hot and Horny bucks.
With one week to go in the Pa. Archery season, I finally adjusted my hunting location and had 2 beautiful 8 points walk by at 25 yards. Unfortunatly, the 1st one did so by sneeking up behind me at about 4:00 pm and didn't offer a shot, and the 2nd one decided to visit while I was hugging the base of the tree with bow on ground and my release in my pocket at about 5:0pm. I made the stupid mistake of getting dejected with thought of the 1st buck not offering his lungs and climbed down with 10 minutes of shooting light left. I WILL NOT DO THAT AGAIN.
In my opinion, the deer in the heavily wooded areas rely so much on acorns, that when they are in short supply, they have to change their patterns so as not to starve.
Does anybody agree or have any other suggestion? I'll bet you do.
By the way, I have heard a rumor that Pa is contemplating opening up hunting on Sundays (about time!!!!!), and I haven't been able to get any background on it. COULD IT BE TRUE ?????
If anybody has any follow up, please send me some info-please!!!!!!